Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Lyle Taylor, but what exactly will the 30-year-old bring to the City Ground?
What Nottingham Forest Fans Can Expect From Lyle Taylor
Importance of Adding Attacking Options
The 30-year-old scored 11 goals for Charlton Athletic last season, leaving the Addicks towards the end of the season. Finishing as the London side’s joint top-scorer, he scored at the rate of a goal every other game. But how much of an impact will the former Bournemouth striker have at the City Ground?
It’s important to acknowledge the position in which Forest head into the 2020-21 season. Sabri Lamouchi’s side saw their play-off hopes crumble away in dramatic style at the end of last season; the Reds lost back-to-back and allowed a five-goal difference swing that saw Swansea City leapfrog Forest into sixth. One positive taken from the season, however, was Lewis Grabban’s excellent goal-scoring exploits.
The 32-year-old – described by his manager, Lamouchi, as “probably our best player” and “a leader on the pitch” – netted 20 goals in 45 league appearances, finishing the season as Forest’s top-scorer. Despite his strong season in-front of goal, in which he contributed to 37 per cent of Forest’s goals this term, improving the options in attack remains a priority for Lamouchi.
As the Reds entered the January transfer window, attacking improvements were desperately needed with Grabban Forest’s only out-and-out central striker. The addition of Nuno da Costa provided competition up-front, but the 29-year-old failed to score in his ten appearances before the season’s conclusion. Tyler Walker, meanwhile, returned from an encouraging loan spell at Lincoln City but, with just seven appearances to his name, he remained back-up to Grabban.
Almost a month on from Forest’s final competitive match of the season – an abysmal 4-1 home defeat to Stoke City – and the Reds have got their man. Lamouchi’s interest in Taylor was first reported in December 2019 and, despite failing to complete a deal in January, Lamouchi has finally tied down his man.
Taylor, who said “it wasn’t easy” to choose between eight reportedly interested clubs, arrives as a huge boost to Forest’s attacking department. No longer must they rely on Grabban to provide the largest share of the goals; now, they can explore a possible attacking duo which features both Taylor and Grabban.
Right Footed, Clever Runs and Positional Awareness
Throughout last season, the ex-Addicks man used positional awareness, an array of passing and his strength to make him a difficult striker. The 30-year-old has a clear preference towards high right foot, using it to score ten of his 11 goals last season.
None of his goals came courtesy of a left-footed strike and only was a headed goal, against Nottingham Forest in August last year. The former Sheffield United man is known for having a trademark penalty stutter in which he slowly walks towards the spot, striking with his right foot into the bottom right corner – of his four successful spot-kicks, three have gone to the ‘keeper’s left and one to their right.
His positioning commonly creates openings for his team-mates or gives him the chance to convert.
Against Forest, the 30-year-old well-timed run beat Michael Dawson to a right-wing cross, allowing him to head across Brice Samba; meanwhile, against Brentford the clever-thinking striker pulled away to the left, dragging the right-sided defender with him, allowing Conor Gallagher to drive into space and beat the goalkeeper from close range.
During the 3-1 victory over Stoke City, he switched the ball onto his right foot to curl into the top corner – his only goal from outside the box last season. He later helped Gallagher grab a goal too, darting in front of the first defender to flick the ball out to the on-rushing midfielder.
It is clear that Taylor’s role in the squad is not just to provide goals. His intricate passing under pressure and clever runs allow his team-mates to convert; it could, therefore, prove vital for Forest as they gun for promotion this season.
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