Tobias Figueiredo has been singled out for praise by fellow Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall.
Criticism aimed at the Portuguese centre-back hasn’t always been justified, according to Worrall, who jokes he wouldn’t like to play against his teammate “because he is quite scary”.
After previously being in and out of the team at times, Figueiredo has been a mainstay under Steve Cooper amid a switch to a three-man defence.
The 27-year-old has occasionally been substituted during games when the Reds are behind, as the head coach switches to a back four and introduces an attacker - as was the case in Friday night’s 1-1 draw at QPR.
But Worrall says his colleague’s contribution shouldn’t be underestimated.
Asked about playing in a three, Worrall told NottinghamshireLive: “It’s enjoyable.
“I’ll play anywhere for Forest. I’ll play left wing if the manager puts me there!
“It’s certainly different to playing as a back four. But the manager has changed it to a back four sometimes, when we’ve been losing, sacrificing Toby again on Friday night.
“I think he (Figueiredo) has been brilliant. I don’t think there’s a lot to choose between me, Scotty (McKenna) and Toby.
“He gets a little bit of stick. I don’t think he’s really aware of that. Out of the three of us, he’s probably the one who cops the most stick.
“What you see is what you get with him. He’s honest, he’s very brave and he’s a defender.
“A lot of demand gets put on us now, under the new manager, to play out and to pass. As the middle of a three, you might think you’d have a cigar on. But if you look at how many times Toby does get on the ball, plays it forward, and plays it forward pretty well, it goes under the radar.
“Football fans are fickle, but Toby has been great.
“He doesn’t deserve to be subbed off, but if we change formation, it’s just one of those things.”
Figueiredo is out of contract in the summer, having put pen to paper on a four-year deal when he made his move to the City Ground permanent in 2018, following a loan spell.
Worrall is well aware, though, of the competition for places in the Reds squad, with centre-backs Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely working their way back from injury.
“He’s been here a long time so his English is okay. It’s limited, but enough - right, left, yes, no. That’s all you need on the pitch,” the academy graduate said of Figueiredo.
“His communication is fine.
“He’s someone I wouldn’t want to play against, because he is quite scary. He’s someone who you’re not sure what he’s going to do, in terms of whether he’s going to hit you or give you a hug.
“He’s like our tough man.
“I like playing with Toby, and I like playing with Scott.
“Rodrigo is pushing us as well. He’s not featured yet, but he’s been unlucky with a couple of injuries.
“That’s something the manager has instilled in us, that the boys who aren’t playing - the likes of Xande Silva, Joao (Carvalho), Braian (Ojeda), Mo Drager and Cafu - are pushing. And they need to push.
“That keeps the standards high.
“That’s something the manager is constantly badgering into the team, that whether you or playing or not, you need to be pushing to get a start. It creates that team cohesion, which is brilliant. That’s what you need. If you’re going to be successful, that’s key.”
