Nottingham Forest were defeated 2-1 by Rotherham United at the weekend, and Martin O’Neill has received a lot of criticism. 

Many Reds fans have been left baffled by O’Neill’s decision to play Ben Osborn over Jack Robinson at left-back.

Osborn hasn’t looked comfortable at left-back when he’s been played there throughout the season, yet O’Neill seems to be insistent on playing him in that position recently. Robinson has had to settle for a place on the bench for the last two games.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

The decision to name Osborn in the starting line-up against Rotherham caused a stir on social media. It didn’t take long to see why.

He was continuously exposed at the New York Stadium. The Millers had plenty of space to attack down the right-hand side due to Osborn being caught out of position. He didn’t offer anything going forward either.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

‘Shocking’, ‘Deluded’

And Reds fans still cannot work out why O’Neill turned to Osborn to play left-back, rather than Robinson, who was named on the substitutes’ bench.

The Reds’ defeat to Rotherham has severely damaged their hopes of getting into the play-offs, as the gap has now widened to five points.

Aston Villa and Bristol City currently occupy the final two play-off spots, after they both drew their respective games.

(Photo by Paul Jenkins/Action Plus via Getty Images)

O’Neill’s men are next in action in midweek, when they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

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