Nottingham Forest defeated Blackburn Rovers during last night’s Premier League Cup game, with the Under-23 outfit winning 4-1. Joe Lolley scored twice, with Ateef Konate and Will Swan adding further goals. For Fin Back, it was the first time he has captained the side.
The young defender has burst onto the Forest scene during 2021/22. A lack of full-backs has seen him thrust into the action. He made his first league appearance as a substitute against Blackburn and started the game at Stoke.
Back looks set for a bright future. For now, it seems as though his development will remain with Andy Reid’s under-23 outfit. Forest added Djed Spence and Mohamed Drager to their ranks on deadline day, bumping Back down the order.
That won’t faze the academy talent though. He proved his worth on the first-team front and he just needs to keep playing. With Forest competing in Premier League 2 this season, the level of football at under-23s will be competitive.
Last night he was back doing what he does best. He roared into tackles, led by example and helped Forest to a win over Blackburn in which they were in cruise control for large parts.
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What have Forest fans said about Back?
Some believe he’s too good to be playing for the under-23s and would prefer to see him involved with the first team. With a plethora of full-backs now in place, his chances do look like becoming restricted, however.
Playing under-23 football won’t do him any harm though. The fact that Reid threw him the captain’s armband last night also bodes well. It suggests that he’s likely to be a mainstay for his team this season.
All Back can do is continue playing and ultimately improving, ready for an assault on a regular place in the senior ranks in the coming years.
Following last night’s game, supporters took to Twitter to discuss Back. Plenty wanted to congratulate him on the captaincy and at leading the Reds to a fine win.