Matty Cash might not be born and bred in Nottingham but he should certainly act as a role model for any youngster looking to walk along the pathway towards first-team stardom at the City Ground.
The 22-year-old has made a truly sensational start to the 2019/20 campaign. Playing in an unfamiliar right-back role he has taken to it comfortably and is looking more convincing with each passing game.
Yesterday he was rewarded for his efforts during the month of October with a place in the Who Scored Team of the Month. The fact that his efforts aren’t going unnoticed away from the banks of the River Trent, highlights what a terrific talent Forest have on their hands.
Despite his tender years, Cash has played 111 times for the Reds since graduating from the club’s academy. What he perhaps lacks in natural talent, he more than makes up for in sheer determination and hard work to get better each day.
After shining on loan at Dagenham and Redbridge, Cash made his Forest debut in a 4-3 win over Burton Albion on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign.
He would make 28 appearances that season; quickly developing into a right-winger having emerged through the ranks as a midfielder.
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One thing that has to be said about Cash is that he comes across as a bloke who genuinely cares about the club. A heart on the sleeve type of player; you can just tell that losing games truly hurts.
It is easy to cite passion as a reason to be misty-eyed over a player’s ability but Cash can play too. He is showcasing his ability to play anywhere in his new right-back role and at the moment he is one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Aspirations
For any emerging talent who dreams of playing so many games in such a short space of time at Forest, then Cash is simply the benchmark.
It does remain to be seen where boss Sabri Lamouchi will see the Slough-born player as a mainstay. On current form, it has to be said that he looks undroppable in his right-back berth.
Forest have looked a little bit short of a creative spark of late, however. Having a more natural right-back available would at least allow Lamouchi to get Cash back in a more advanced role.
A place in the Team of the Month is exactly what Cash deserves and there is lots more to come from arguably the hardest working player at the City Ground.
Forest have a plethora of youngsters waiting in the wings to embark on the first-team. Each and every one of them would be wise to look at Cash’s rise with a firm desire to emulate his star qualities.
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