Nottingham Forest legend Larry Lloyd has lauded the team’s new defensive central defensive partnership of Tobias Figueiredo and Danny Fox, stating that it is a toss-up between the pair for player of the season.
The bizarre claim has been made by the European Cup central defender who feels that the pair’s partnership has combined well with the other new recruits into the club, making the Reds a much tougher proposition to break down for opposing teams.
Forest drew 0-0 at Sheffield United on Saturday – the club’s third consecutive goalless draw, and Lloyd feels that the pair should be in contention to win player of the season.
On-loan Sporting Lisbon defender Figueiredo has played seven times for the Reds since his arrival, whilst veteran Fox has started the last 11 games for Aitor Karanka.
Forest have kept five clean sheets with the duo at the heart of defence and Lloyd was quick to pile on the praise in his latest column for the Nottingham Post, saying: “If I had to pick our best player right now it would either be Fox or Figueiredo; they have been outstanding and formed a formidable partnership.
“If they carry on in similar style then it is a straight toss-up between the two for player of the season. And you can add the goalkeeper into that too. He comes out shouting and bawling at his team-mates, telling them where to be, and he’s made some good saves.
Lloyd did go on to confess that he still hopes to see his former club complete the romantic return of defender Michael Dawson in the summer, with a failed move from the January transfer window set to be back on the agenda for the summer.
He continued: “Even if the club does keep Figueiredo – and they definitely should – I’d still like to see them go for Michael Dawson in the summer.
“Fox, Figueiredo, Dawson and Joe Worrall would give Forest four really good central defenders to choose from – because I am not sure Michael Macienne will still be here next year.”
The Verdict
In a weird sort of way Larry Lloyd actually makes some good points regarding the partnership of Danny Fox and Tobias Figueiredo.
Forest couldn’t keep a clean sheet to save their lives during the final weeks of Mark Warburton’s tenure and yet three months down the line the team has kept three on the spin – progress to say the least!
Fox isn’t everyone’s cup of tea among the City Ground faithful but even his harshest critics have to say that he has been immense for several weeks now.
Nottingham Forest fans, do you agree with Lloyd’s claims that the current central defenders should be in contention for player of the season? Let us know in the comments below!!!