There are three things certain in life. Death, taxes and ex-Nottingham Forest defender Kenny Burns using his weekly article in the local paper to slate Reds talisman Lewis Grabban.
This week’s criticism of the striker was that he actually worked too hard during the 3-2 win over Stoke. Despite scoring the winner and working his backside off, Burns opted once again to critique Grabban’s performance.
After Forest were beaten by West Brom on the opening day of the season, the European Cup-winning enforcer said that he should be sold and replaced with Dwight Gayle. His lack of enthusiasm and poor work-rate were slammed by Burns.
Two months down the line and Grabban is now running too much apparently. Nonetheless, he’s scoring goals and more importantly, the supporters are raving about him.
Ask the 31-year-old about his goalscoring exploits and surely he will want more. Every striker always wants more. Five in nine games is a solid return but Grabban will hope to smash through the 20-goal barrier this season.
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A trip to Blackburn this evening could serve to enhance the Forest man’s tally. Ewood Park has proved a happy hunting ground for Grabban and that bodes well for the Reds.
In six games against the 1995 Premier League champions Grabban has scored five goals. Two for Norwich, one for Bournemouth and a brace last season when the Reds drew 2-2.
The £6 million star should have left with the ball under his arm during last season’s trip to Lancashire. He missed a penalty with the score goalless, before netting from the spot later in the game.
With every game won the expectation will go up in the eyes of Forest supporters. With the Reds claiming a win at Stoke and Blackburn losing at home to Luton on Saturday, supporters will travel to Ewood Park expecting a win this evening.
As we know football doesn’t work like that, however, especially in the unpredictable Championship.
One thing that can be predicted though is that if Grabban continues to get service inside the penalty box, he will undoubtedly continue to find the net.
With Joao Carvalho, Joe Lolley, Tiago Silva, Sammy Ameobi and Albert Adomah all vying for a place in the creative roles, Grabban shouldn’t be found feeding off scraps this season.
His Ewood Park record is impressive and the last time Burns opened his critical mouth, Grabban rammed his words back down his throat with an equalising goal against Leeds, forcing the former player into written submission.
More of the same tonight and Burns might just have to sharpen that apologetic pencil once again.