Garth Crooks has named Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson in his BBC Sport Team of the Week. The Reds star was in fine form as the team came from behind twice to claim a point.
The 21-year-old is proving to be the team’s star boy once more. Since the World Cup, he’s been magnificent and he’s now showcasing exactly how much quality he has.
Like many other players, Johnson initially found the jump to the Premier League tough. He’s grown as a player, however, and is now considered one of Forest’s top players.
Johnson took his goal tally to nine for the season with his brace against Everton. He scored in the 19th minute and again in the 76th minute to help Forest claim a pretty useful point in their fight for Premier League survival.
Crooks included Johnson in his Team of the Week for the second time this season. He was named as part of a front three on the BBC Sport website and Crooks was impressed.
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He said: “The last time Johnson made my team selection he also scored two goals and gained valuable points for Nottingham Forest. This time it was against an Everton side also in desperate need of points.
“When he first made my team I said he was a very willing player who had previously struggled in front of goal. Well, three months have passed since then and the way he took his second of the game against Everton, he doesn’t seem to be struggling in front of goal any more.
“This is a young man who has clearly worked at his craft and who, along with Morgan Gibbs-White, is taking Forest into a much safer place than when they arrived.”
Crooks named Johnson in Team of the Week
It’s nice to see a Forest player get a selection by Crooks. He typically picks the players from the bigger clubs in the division but a Forest man has got the nod this time out.
Johnson is really coming of age now. At 21, he has bags of time on his side to keep improving and his importance to the Forest team really shouldn’t be underestimated.
The youngster is one of Forest’s own. He came through the academy at the City Ground and his celebrations yesterday showcase that he absolutely loves playing for the Reds.