Joe Lolley believes that Brennan Johnson's introduction into the Nottingham Forest first team picture was a long time coming.

Lolley was impressed with Johnson when he first trained with the senior side before he went out on loan to Lincoln City but is delighted to see the impact he has made this term.

Johnson has hit the ground running with two goals and three assists already this season and is looking every bit a player who will apply his trade in the Premier League in the coming years.

Lolley reiterated his happiness to see the youngster contributing to Forest's good form in recent weeks when he spoke to The Athletic.

He said: "I think he (Johnson) should have been with us for the last few years. I personally liked him a lot from day one.

"He is a great player and I thought that from the first moment he trained with us, a few years ago. But it is great to have him with us now and I am glad to see him impacting on games."

The Reds are looking to make up for lost time and climb the table before the turn of the year under Steve Cooper. If they can achieve that then Brennan Johnson could be a huge part of keeping a play-off dream alive for as long as possible.

The Verdict

 

 

Johnson has been a breath of fresh air at the start of a tricky campaign for Forest, clearly thriving with greater attacking licence under Cooper compared to Chris Hughton. 13 goals and 14 assists are jaw-dropping numbers for a then 19-year-old in their first Football League loan spell.

Credit to Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton for unearthing a gem and giving Johnson the confidence to nail down a place in the Nottingham Forest team upon his return.

In Philip Zinckernagel, Alex Mighten, Joe Lolley and Brennan Johnson there are some mouth-watering attacking combinations for Forest supporters to watch this season at the City Ground and for Steve Cooper to utilise to their advantage.