Ben Watson has had a mediocre season where he has been in and out of the Nottingham Forest side. 

The 33-year-old formed a formidable duo with Jack Colback or Adlene Guedioura for the first half of the season, but has struggled for minutes since Christmas. 

One criticism fired his way was that he was one of an extremely high number of defensive midfielders at the club, that were not astute enough on the ball. 

Nevertheless, he has given experience to younger players who have broken through, none fewer than Ryan Yates who has been the biggest success story of O’Neill’s reign so far. 

The young midfielder was tipped to leave the club in January, but O’Neill stuck with him and he is an integral member now.

Here, we sum up Ben Watson’s season in three words. 

Do you agree? Let us know below.

Ageing 

Clearly, Ben Watson is ageing. 

At 33, he cannot claim to have the abilities he once had in his Wigan and Watford days. 

He may well leave the club in the summer, but he has been a good servant in the last season or so.

One-dimensional 

Sadly for Watson, he is no longer a box-to-box midfielder and his game is fairly limited.

This is probably why he has lost his place to Yates. With Yates and Colback, there is a good balance between defence and attack, whereas Watson couldn’t offer both.

Experience 

At 33, he is one of the senior members of the squad. 

He has led by example by times on and off the pitch, and never complained when he has been left out.