Debutant James Garner turns heads in Forest’s 2-1 win over Coventry

Manchester United loanee James Garner produced a man of the match performance at St. Andrew’s which saw relegation battlers Nottingham Forest get the better of Coventry City on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old sealed a loan move to the two-time European champions on Saturday, following his loan termination at Watford. The youngster played just 40 minutes in his final month with The Hornets under new manager Xisco.

Forest manager Chris Hughton was able to fight off competition from fellow Championship outfit QPR to bring the midfielder to the City Ground, and will be hoping that he can continue to replicate performances just like he did on Tuesday night.

The playing conditions in the West Midlands were far from ideal, with heavy rain pouring from the first whistle. This, however, didn’t faze the youngster as he played the ball around the park with confidence and intent.

The 19-year-old’s long passing was certainly an attribute that caught the eye – spraying balls across to the left wing into the path of Sammy Ameobi and Luke Freeman.

Garner’s enthusiasm was infectious on his teammates, where Forest probably had one of their best wins of the season.

The six-pointer leaves Coventry just one place ahead of their rivals Forest in 18th and 19th respectively.

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A fine performance from @jgarnerr96 tonight ? #NFFC https://t.co/3ci9HiNRct pic.twitter.com/hBIAIT7oMt

— Nottingham Forest FC ? (@NFFC) February 2, 2021

Gaffer Chris Hughton was delighted with the MOTM’s showing, and made no mistake of heaping praise on his deadline-day signing:

“I was really pleased, when we took him on, we knew that he had half a season of experience at Watford and that can be just being involved in the squad. For a young player he showed maturity in a gruelling game as we were under pressure in the second half, so he had to play a bit of a different role, but I was really pleased for him.”

Forest weren’t shy of character and determination on the occasion, coming from a goal behind to secure the win.

Max Biamou’s curling effort put the home side in the lead just before the 20 minute mark, but the visitors hit back almost instantly through captain Lewis Grabban.

Within five minutes of conceding, Sammy Ameobi danced past his defender and drilled the ball across goal which found the striker, slotting home with a cultured first-time finish – the 33-year-old’s third goal of the season in an otherwise disappointing campaign thus far.

Tidy build-up play from Garner and Anthony Knockaert on the right-hand side eventually found the feet of Cyrus Christie, whose venomous cross was bundled into his own net by half-time substitute Michael Rose.

Joe Worrall and his Forest backline did well to keep the tricky Sky Blues at bay, with Callum O’Hare lifeless for the majority of the 90 minutes. His midfield counterparts Matty James and Gustavo Hamer managed three shots on target combined, but ‘keeper Brice Samba was equal to them all.

Another one of Forest’s deadline-day additions Glenn Murray was given a 15 minute cameo, but in the closing stages where the away side were battling to keep three points, it was no surprise he made little impact.

Jack Colback made his highly anticipated return off the bench for Cafu, who made his move to the City Ground permanent last week.

The story of the game for Mark Robins’ side was close but no cigar, who stay at home to face Garner’s former side Watford in the early kick-off on Saturday. Hughton will look to take this win into his stride and build some momentum, when Forest travel to Wycombe on the same day.