Paul Hart has told the Garibaldi Red Podcast that Emmanuel Dennis could become important for Nottingham Forest. The forward scored as the Reds lost 2-1 to Newcastle at the City Ground on Friday night.
The 25-year-old has taken some time to settle at the City Ground. He has found a place in the starting eleven hard to come by but injuries have handed him a reprieve of late.
Dennis was arguably Forest’s best player when he stepped off the bench against Tottenham. His performance in the capital prompted Steve Cooper to hand him a start against Newcastle.
The Nigerian performer repaid his manager’s faith with a scrumptious goal. He lobbed home after a loose pass from Sven Botman to sen the City Ground into raptures.
Hart admits he’s not seen much of Dennis prior to this season. However, he has conceded that he could now play his way into Cooper’s thinking for the remainder of the campaign.
He told the Garibaldi Red Podcast: “I haven’t seen much of Emmanuel Dennis. I looked at him on Friday and I thought he was aggressive, he ran hard and he got up he down. He has the ability.
“Players like that need a bit of rhythm so maybe this will be the start for him. He got about the pitch and the goal was a cracking goal.
“Maybe he can now play himself into the team.”
Hart thinks Dennis could be important for Forest
Anyone who hasn’t rated Dennis during his last two outings quite simply has an agenda against him. He’s been very impressive for the Reds and he deserves a run of games.
The Reds face Wolves, Leeds and Aston Villa after the international break. By that point they could be in the bottom three and they desperately need some points quickly.
Dennis cost Forest around £15 million. The fee could rise to £20 million and it’s fair to say that he’s not really made the grade on Trentside or impressed the face sufficiently just yet.
There is potential, however. The Reds forward is clearly thankful for the recent chances he’s been given and hopefully Cooper will now give him an extended run in the team.