Nottingham Forest exit EFL Trophy but 66-touch gem shines with nine duels won

Nottingham Forest B-Team have bowed out of the EFL Trophy after a penalty shootout defeat to Wigan.

The young Reds drew 0-0 with League One opposition and were then beaten 3-0 on penalties.

It means there will be no repeat of last season when Forest – in their maiden campaign – reached the knockout stages.

It’s still been a competition to remember for Forest, however.

Joe Gardner earned praise from ex-Forest star James Perch for his efforts in the 2-1 win over Carlisle in the opening group game.

Forest have Category One academy status and that means a wealth of new competitions to play in.

One of those is the Premier League International Cup and after a 1-0 defeat to Valencia last month, Paul Taylor raved about two Forest youngsters.

Last week, a young Reds outfit progressed in the Nottinghamshire County Cup but last night the curtain did come down on the EFL Trophy campaign.

Fin Back stars as Nottingham Forest exit EFL Trophy

It must be a bit of a strange time for Back at Forest.

He’s a player who has sampled plenty of senior football but now he finds himself playing development squad games again.

Still, he doesn’t look fazed by this and seems determined to get himself back on track after a couple of bad injuries.

Back was in fine form last night as Sofa Score highlighted.

He won seven of the 12 ground duels that he contested and also won two of the five aerial duels he entered.

Back won three free-kicks for Forest and had an impressive 66 touches of the ball from right-back.

Furthermore, he was sound defensively and made three blocks and and completed two interceptions during this latest outing.

Ultimately, Back’s future won’t be at Forest.

He’s 22-years-old and that likely means that the ship has sailed for him when it comes to playing for Forest in the Premier League.

Forest have Ola Aina and Neco Williams competing for a place at right-back, with Back further down the pecking order.

However, Back is a good professional and always gives his all.

Despite not getting a move elsewhere he’s worked hard in training and is now reaping the rewards with the B-Team.

In the future, Back will look to get back out and play football in the EFL and after a loan with Carlisle, he should be in good stead for that.

Forest pride themselves on nurturing young talent and Back will go down as another player who graduated and played first-team games with the Reds.