‘Been hard for him’… Michael Dawson believes 26-year-old Forest player has struggled this season

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Michael Dawson has been speaking about Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall and his struggles this season.

The man who had two spells at Forest was speaking to the Forest Focus podcast.

So, what has Dawson said about Forest captain Worrall? Let’s take a closer look…

What Michael Dawson has said about Joe Worrall

Well, it seems as though the Northallerton-born Sky Sports pundit understands some of the criticism that Worrall has been getting.

The 26-year-old had a fallout with Steve Cooper when he was at the club and he started his first game for some time last weekend against Blackpool.

Dawson thinks it merely reiterates the gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship.

On Forest defender Worrall, Dawson told the Forest Focus podcast: “Well fans are critical, they pay their money, they turn up and they expect, so why not?

“We set the bar high, we talk about the year we went up and Joe was magnificent but then it’s the next level up and the Premier League.

“There is no hiding place in the Premier League and there is a gulf. Last year in the Premier League he did well but this year it’s been hard for him – he’s been in and out of the team.

“Joe is naturally a fit boy so him coming in is easier for him than it was for someone like me who needed four of five games to get going.

“When you come in at this level it’s not easy.”

Worrall will get chance to make amends at Forest

The best thing for Worrall right now is that the African Cup of Nations has seen Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate head off to the tournament.

That should see Worrall earn a bit of a reprieve and he should get the chance to play against Blackpool and Brentford.

The ball is now firmly in the court of the captain.

He must park everything that has happened before and focus on becoming the best version of himself and proving to people he wants to stay at Forest.

Leicester and West Ham have been credited with interest in Worrall.

If he does leave, however, it feels as though it will come later in the window once Forest have ironed out their own plans.