Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Osborn could come up against Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen

Add as preferred source on Google

Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Osborn could find himself up against Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen this weekend. 

The Reds face a dilemma at left-back after Jack Robinson picked up his 10th booking of the season against Stoke City.

The 25-year-old full-back is now set to sit out a two-match ban. Whether or not this has any impact on the Reds’ slim play-off hopes remains to be seen.

Martin O’Neill is most likely to move Ben Osborn back to left-back to fill the void left by Robinson’s suspension.

The only other viable option the Northern Irishman has in that position is Saidy Janko. However, it’s fair to say that 23-year-old full-back hasn’t been at his best recently.

Although, forcing Osborn back into a position he hasn’t ever seemed comfortable in isn’t ideal either.

Especially when he’s most likely to come up against either Jarrod Bowen or Kamil Grosikci at the weekend.

A problem position

A long-term solution to the left-back headache at the City Ground has never really been found.

Robinson is a solid full-back in this division. However, when he’s either injured or suspended, the Reds need a better option than drafting in a midfielder just to ‘do a job’.

This is no criticism of Osborn, who always puts a shift in, wherever he is asked to play. But he simply isn’t good enough to play left-back in the Championship.

He’s at his best when played either in central midfield or out wide. He looks far more comfortable when he’s allowed to attack without having to worry about his positioning.

When he’s filled in at left-back this season, he’s looked awkward and uncomfortable. There have been numerous teams that have targeted him when he’s been played in that position.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Tigers do the same this weekend at the City Ground.

Bowen will be licking his lips

If the Reds were up against so-called ‘lesser’ opposition this weekend, then perhaps they could get away with Osborn playing left-back.

But they’re not. They’re up against a side chasing the play-offs themselves, with one of the division’s most dangerous wingers at their disposal in the form of Bowen.

The 22-year-old has scored 18 goals in the Championship this season, whilst also picking up three assists.

Some supporters are understandably concerned about the prospect of Bowen coming directly up against Osborn.

However, Bowen isn’t the only quality wide player at Nigel Adkins’ disposal.

Kamil Grosicki has also picked up five goals and eight assists in the Championship this season.

Both players have the quality to expose the Reds’ lack of depth at left-back once again. It’s an issue that O’Neill has to address in the summer.

In the meantime, he’ll be hoping that Osborn can produce one of his better performances at left-back to keep the likes of Bowen quiet.