BeIN Sports presenter Andy Gray has criticised Nottingham Forest defender Serge Aurier after Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham. The Reds were beaten 3-1 in North London and have still won just once away from home all season.
The 30-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Forest team during 2022/23. He was signed by the club on a free transfer and his experience has really shone through.
Aurier has been a fantastic player for the Reds. He’s looked every inch the signing that Forest thought they would get with the player boasting experience of playing at the top level.
Forest have to start producing the goods away from the City Ground. The Reds have collected just six points away from home all season and that simply won’t do from their perspective.
During Saturday’s game, it was Aurier who came under fire from Gray. He couldn’t believe how poor his defending was for Tottenham’s first goal, with Joe Worrall also poor during the build-up.
He said live on BeIN Sports: “I am not sure about Aurier’s defending, I think he should have been better. You are probably right. It’s a nice ball in from Richarlison. But look at Aurier’s defending. I’m sorry, that’s not very good.”
Jose Mourinho praised Aurier when he was at Tottenham. He called the player ‘special’ and he quickly became a regular in the team when the Special One was in charge at North London.
Gray criticised Aurier but others were to blame
The Ivory Coast international didn’t cover himself in glory with the first goal, it has to be said. But, he was fighting a losing battle from the moment that Worrall decided to get caught daydreaming with Kane lurking behind him.
All Aurier could do was try to put the striker off. Although he ensured Kane had some pressure on him, he couldn’t deny the England striker sufficiently to see him head off target.
The defender remains vitally important to Forest and their survival fortunes. He is instrumental to Steve Cooper’s defensive fortunes and the hope will be that he quickly moves on from this performance.
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