Ryan Yates has recited a special Nottingham Forest moment from earlier this season during an interview with The Athletic.
Excitement levels are high on Trentside. Forest have a play-off double-header against Sheffield United coming up and supporters can’t wait.
Yates has been brilliant for the Reds over the last few months. The central midfielder has improved considerably and is now an integral part of the team.
The 24-year-old has scored nine goals during the 2021/22 campaign and his contribution to the team makes him a frontrunner for the Player of the Year accolade.
Yates is gearing up for his biggest week as a Forest star and he’s recalled one moment that he felt was really special.
He told The Athletic: “At the Blackpool game, when the fans started singing, ‘If Yatesy scored, we’re in the sea’ for the first time…that was special.
“I was thinking I should hold my position though because we were 3-0 up at half-time. I did not want to get shouted at for pushing forward.”
Yates has taken some time to get going at Forest. Alongside James Garner and under the influence of Cooper he’s stepped his game up to a new level.
Yates recalls special Forest moment and best could be yet to come
As a homegrown player, it really would be a dream come true for Yates to see Forest become a Premier League club.
The midfielder recently signed a new deal and he looks set to remain a big part of the team in the coming years.
Yates has made 129 appearances for the first team. He’s always given his all, although it’s taken some time for some supporters to warm to him.
Under previous managers, his place in the team has come into question but that is now firmly in the past given his form this season.
Yates will hope to etch his name into Forest folklore with a huge moment in the play-offs against Sheffield United.