Nottingham Forest’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League are now pretty much impossible after defeat in Braga.
The Reds lost 1-0 after a Ryan Yates own goal, with a number of players failing to grasp their opportunity after Sean Dyche had given them one.
Forest could have gone into next week’s game with Ferencvaros with their top-eight destiny in their own hands, but instead, it looks like an extra game for the Reds to reach the round of 16.
Some bad performances were had by Forest players, and frankly, the Reds look to be sleepwalking back towards a relegation battle and an early exit in Europe, given the nature of the performances.
- READ MORE: Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Braga
Steve McManaman shocked by one Nottingham Forest player
McManaman won the UEFA Cup as a player with Liverpool, so he knows a thing or two about winning this competition to a certain degree.
He was on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports last night and he couldn’t believe just how devoid of confidence Dilane Bakwa was during the match.
He said: “You can see he’s got no confidence, there’s a pass there, he’s gone backwards to Yates when he should go forward. His confidence looks gone! He almost doesn’t want the ball. He needs to get further up the pitch and get wider. He’s scared to get on the ball almost.”
Forest need to severe ties with Dilane Bakwa
This is a transfer that simply hasn’t worked out for Forest or Bakwa, and it’s perhaps time to start making some calls to other clubs regarding his availability.
Forest don’t create anything under Dyche as it is, and having a forward who doesn’t want to get on the ball is doing himself or the team no favours at all.
Who was the WORST Nottingham Forest player vs Braga
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The youngster is still a player with a wealth of potential, but at the same time, it’s hard to imagine him coming good when he’s showcased absolutely nothing yet in a Forest shirt.
Bakwa was signed on the back of a number of strong performances for Strasbourg, but right now, McManaman is right, and the Frenchman looks petrified every time he steps on a football pitch.
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