Lyle Taylor emerges as the new face of Nottingham Forest

Having made a tentative start to his Nottingham Forest career under Sabri Lamouchi, Lyle Taylor is starting to find his feet in his new surroundings. Forest fans have been waiting a little while for him to get his chance but the distinctive-looking striker is up and running at The City Ground.

It was on a bitterly cold night back in February that Forest fans first caught glimpse of Taylor. Leading the line by himself, Taylor put in a superb individual performance for Charlton Athletic, scoring the only goal of the game in Nottingham with a fabulous volleyed goal. Not only was his goal a stunner, Taylor had bullied the Forest defence into submission with an intimidating display.

It was great news for fans then that 30-year-old Taylor agreed to join the club over a number of suitors in the summer. With an alarming over-reliance on Lewis Grabban to score the side’s goals, Taylor was brought in to provide much-needed reinforcements further up the pitch.

After allegedly being told he’d be partnering Grabban up top in Forest’s attack by Sabri Lamouchi, Taylor was a little bemused that this hadn’t materialised under the Frenchman’s watch.

Following Lamouchi’s departure and Chris Hughton’s arrival, Taylor has been given the chance to shine in the absence of the injured Grabban and he’s seized the opportunity to show that his performance against them back in February was no flash in the pan. The Montserrat international appears to be settling in quite nicely to life in Nottingham and he’s already adhering himself to The City Ground faithful.

With four goals to his name already, the former Charlton man doesn’t look fazed by the prospect of becoming Forest’s main talisman this season and is letting his football do the talking.

With four very different types of goals scored, a six-yard poached finish against Derby, an ice-cool last-minute winning penalty against Coventry City, a far-post header and piece of individualism against Wycombe Wanderers, Taylor is offering that little bit more at the fulcrum of Forest’s attack which they have lacked for a little while.

Aside from the goals, Taylor is intelligent on the ball, combative off of it and the type that lets opposition defenders know that they are in for a game. Forest appear to have got themselves a real bargain on evidence produced so far with and the exciting prospect for fans is that he’s barely gotten started.

In recent games, he has linked up well with Spanish striker Miguel Angel Guerrero playing just off of him in the attack which has whetted the Forest appetite for more goals.

“Miguel is a very good footballer, he is a very good foil. He isn’t the only one, Luke Freeman, Joe Lolley, we have got an abundance of attacking talent. It is about making that talent click and that is what the gaffer’s job has been.’ – Lyle Taylor

Opening your goals account against local rivals Derby County (in the recent 1-1 draw), will never do a Forest player any harm but it was an extra special moment for Taylor, sporting pink hair and pink boots to raise money for Cancer Awareness. A cause that clearly means a lot to him, with the loss of loved ones to the disease, Taylor’s work in recent weeks and at his previous club Charlton, speaks volumes about his character as he uses his profile to raise all-important awareness. 

Image: Nottingham Forest Official

Football can often be misleading from the outside looking in, and as the striker decided against risking injury in Charlton’s post lockdown campaign of the previous season, Taylor was vilified in some quarters for his stance. Whilst football is an emotional game, Taylor took the decision with his eyes focussed on his next career move. 

Having plied his trade in the lower leagues for the duration of his career, it’s hard to begrudge a player that kind of opportunity in a game where talent is nowadays rewarded very early on in players careers. The decision not to sign the contract extension until the end of June was a big one to make and so Taylor will be mindful that he has a point to prove that he was right to do so.

Taylor’s form could not have come at a more crucial time and his attitude to take responsibility further up the pitch has certainly benefitted his teammates. With so many new faces coming in on Trentside over the summer, it will take time for things to come together. Whether it be an office, construction site or restaurant, optimum levels cannot be expected from the off given the change in personnel. Leaders have to emerge and others will follow.

Taylor’s post-match interviews have been a breath of fresh air from the usual go-to after match quotes and suggest Taylor will bring more than just goals to Chris Hughton’s squad. He appears the type of character that will make others sit up and listen to what he has to say. Not that this should come as any surprise given he’s the captain of his national team but Taylor’s emergence as the face of a new-look Nottingham Forest shouldn’t be underestimated.

Having now dragged themselves out of the relegation places and blown away the cobwebs on their terrible start, Forest fans will be hoping that their season finally gets going on Saturday. Oakwell has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for The Reds and so Chris Hughton will know full well of the threat the Barnsley pose.

In parallel to the recent changes at Nottingham Forest, Barnsley are also adjusting to life under a new manager. If there had been disappointment with Gerhard Struber’s decision to take up a role with the New York Red Bulls, following his miraculous work to keep Barnsley in The Championship, newly appointed Valérien Ismaël has provided just the tonic to raise spirits in South Yorkshire.

Three wins out of his first four outings, culminating with an impressive 2-0 win over Derby County before the international break, has instilled newfound confidence and belief in The Tykes. 

“I think it was a very good start for me, my staff and my team. When you win, it’s always a good feeling and gives you more confidence, and the players believe quickly in the philosophy, the principle and the way to play. That’s why it’s always hard work.” -Valérien Ismaël

Having only lost one game at home this season (Luton Town on opening day) and having already beaten Forest in the Carabao Cup at Oakwell, Barnsley will be confident of putting the breaks on Forest’s mini-revival.

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