Matty Cash has always had the right attributes to shine at full-back, according to one of his Nottingham Forest teammates.
Cash has become one of the first names on the team-sheet at right-back under Sabri Lamouchi this season, having previously more often than not featured further up the pitch, in midfield.
His impressive performances saw him linked with Premier League Everton before he at the City Ground last week.
And Reds winger Joe Lolley says it is no surprise the 22-year-old has comfortably slotted into his new role.
“I’m not really surprised. All of his attributes point to him doing well there,” Lolley said.
“He’s a strong runner with the ball, he’s aggressive, physically he’s very good and technically he’s very good. He’s got a lot of good attributes.
“He’s still learning the game defensively and he’s still learning the position of right-back, but from the outlook of his actual attributes, I think the role suits him.”
While more established right-backs Tendayi Darikwa and Carl Jenkinson have been sidelined, Cash has become a key figure in Forest’s defence.
He has notched up 20 appearances so far this season, scoring twice, as Lamouchi’s men have charged up the Championship table.
Reigning club Player of the Year Lolley hasn’t quite yet hit the same heights as he managed last term.
But he says he is happy for that to be the case if others, like Cash, are able to shine, with the Reds working well as a team this time around.
“I think we’ve gained a good partnership on the right,” he said of Cash.
“Maybe last year, maybe it was more like the right-back would give it to me and it would be me dribbling and crossing.
“But with Matty, I let him just run because that’s one of his best attributes - his pace and his energy to get up and down.
“That allows me to play an easy five or 10 yard pass to him to cross the ball.
“I think he’s made that position his own at the moment.
“It’s unfortunate for the other lads out injured, but he’s done brilliant.
“To be fair, he could do a number of jobs in any position. He can do a good job because he’s a very good player.”
