Much has been made this week about Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White and whether or not he will make the England squad for the World Cup.
The Reds need more points in their fight against survival in the Premier League, and Gibbs-White is going to be so important to whatever the club achieves.
✈️Does Morgan Gibbs-White deserve a place in the England squad for the World Cup this summer?
Let us know which player should be omitted to squeeze MGW in!
Gibbs-White scored a wonderful hat-trick against Burnley last time out, and the hope will be that he can continue on the goal trail for this weekend’s game against Sunderland.
Ahead of the weekend’s games, Ally McCoist had delivered a strong defence of Gibbs-White against the people suggesting it’s too late for him to make the squad.
Ally McCoist defends Morgan Gibbs-White
McCoist has suggested that he doesn’t think Gibbs-White will make the England squad – but he believes that he could still force his way in.
Gibbs-White missed out on the 35-man squad for the England friendlies with Uruguay and Japan last month and McCoist actually thinks that was a good squad to miss.
He said on TalkSPORT: “No, it’s not too late, not at all, and for a number of reasons.
“If he continues that form, his hat-trick was excellent, especially numbers two and three. The balls in were excellent, but the finishes were fantastic as well. It’s a brilliant hat-trick.
“Those two games, the 35-man squad, we’ve already said it, it was a good squad to miss because there was nothing in any of the games where you think, ‘oh he’s done himself the world of good’, because in terms of the final squad for the USA and I think three or four players from that squad have done themselves more damage than good.
“So in answer to your question, Gibbs-White? No, I genuinely don’t think it’s too late, and I understand the clamour – not just from the Forest fans – for him to be in there.
“If I’m going to be brutally honest, I don’t think he will be in, but all he can do is do what he’s doing now, which is playing well, scoring goals and hopefully keeping Forest in the top-flight. If he does that, he gives Thomas Tuchel a real dilemma.”
Gibbs-White will continue to push
The Forest number 10 showed immense versatility to score his hat-trick at the weekend, being moved to a left-sided position to try and stifle Burnley’s game plan.
McCoist is right to have reservations on whether he will get in or not, but on current form, he has to be right in the mix.
Gibbs-White is hardworking beyond belief, and there is no chance of his form slowing down between now and the end of the campaign.
Forest have a real star man in their squad for their relegation battle and as the top scoring Englishman in the Premier League, it would be a travesty if he didn’t go to the World Cup.
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