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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

'Life guidance' - Ben Watson's crucial Nottingham Forest role on and off the pitch

Nottingham Forest players joked with Ben Watson that his last goal was his famous winner in the 2013 FA Cup final, after he found his scoring touch for the Reds.

That is not quite true. Waston scored eight more goals before entering a barren run which stretched back to April 2016, when he scored for Watford at West Bromwich Albion.

It is hard to believe any strike will ever surpass his last minute Wembley winner for Wigan against Manchester City six years ago, but Watson certainly enjoyed his strike against Barnsley last month, as he ended a run of 65 games without scoring.

The 34-year-old defensive midfielder then backed that up with the only goal against Brentford on Saturday to take Forest up to second in the Championship heading into the second international break of the season.

Watson took the official man of the match honours in the game, but right-back Matty Cash also shone.

He says the former Crystal Palace man's part in the success of the opening months of the season should not be underestimated.

Ben Watson celebrates Nottingham Forest's victory over Brentford (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

"We were having a joke with saying his last goal was in the FA Cup final! He's had two good finishes," Cash said.

"As well as a holding midfielder, he can break lines, he can shoot, that's why he's the captain.

"It's two in two for him and a great finish as well. I'm really happy for him. He's a great leader and a fantastic captain."

Cash says Watson has been a massive influence not just on the squad, but on his own career, with the 22-year-old having progressed through the ranks to make 109 appearances for the club.

"He's a massive influence on the whole group. For me personally, he's helped me loads on and off the pitch," he said.

"It's about communication. He knows the game. He's done it and I'm a young lad coming through, so he gives me a lot of advice how to live right and how to play right.

"He gives me life guidance really, about football as well. He's a great character to have around.

"He's lived and breathed footie. He's been in plenty of situations so he helps me out.

"It's not about going out and getting drunk! I'm not that player at all."

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