Nottingham Forest kicked off their 2020-21 season with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Barnsley, but one talking point was the emergence of young full-back Jordan Gabriel.
From Academy to Shock Start: How Nottingham Forest and Jordan Gabriel Fit Together
Opportunity For Success
The departure of Matty Cash has left Reds supporters with question marks hanging over the right-back position.
Boss Sabri Lamouchi is not short for options in that spot, with Carl Jenkinson and Tendayi Darikwa both capable of filling the position, but it was academy product Gabriel who was given a run-out at Oakwell.
The Reds’ French boss opted to name for a relatively strong side for the defeat in Yorkshire – Joe Lolley, Tiago Silva and Samba Sow missed out through injury – but, his preference of the young full-back over Jenkinson – who was named in the squad but failed to come off the bench – suggests a bright future for Gabriel at the City Ground.
Who Is Jordan Gabriel?
The 21-year-old is short of Championship playing experience, but a series of impressive performances with League Two side Scunthorpe United – where he became a mainstay – has led to him making a rise up the pecking order at the City Ground.
His fine showings in the fourth tier resulted in rumours of a move away from Forest – with Alan Nixon claiming League One side Blackpool were interested – but, with Cash having now headed to Aston Villa for an expected fee of around £14 million, it seems that the young full-back could be breaking into Lamouchi’s first-team plans.
It is not a surprise that Lamouchi is keeping close tabs on Gabriel, especially given the fact that academy manager Gary Brazil has labelled him “an exceptional talent”.
The right-sided defender’s stellar performances for the U18s led to him signing a professional contract in January 2016. He was included within the first-team squad for the pre-season trip to Portugal, but a serious injury hampered his progress and he ended the season with the U23s.
Last season he continued to feature regularly within the Forest youth set-up and also came on as a second-half substitute for Joe Lolley in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal.
High and Low Points From Gabriel’s Debut
Forest have a fine track record of producing first-team players. Of the current squad at the City Ground, five players have progressed from academy set-up to making it into the first team – Joe Worrall, Ryan Yates, Michael Dawson, Jordan Smith and Alex Mighten.
It will be no shock, therefore, that Gabriel hopes to emulate the success of Cash, and many of the other former youth stars. And he certainly did not hinder his chances with an inspiring debut performance against the Tykes on Saturday.
Just 30 seconds into the Carabao Cup tie, Gabriel found himself in front of goal. The 21-year-old picked up the ball just inside the penalty area but, after a clever shuffle to beat Barnsley’s Jordan Williams, he flashed a shot into the side netting.
It was not the last time the young full-back ventured forward, though. With good ball control on the right side of the box, Gabriel weaved his way into the box but showed signs of a lack of match sharpness as his tame left-footed cross failed to trouble Gerhard Struber’s side.
Forest fans will be desperate for an improvement upon the showings of defensive ineptitude that became so common last term. Lewis Grabban’s contribution of 20 goals, the first time a Reds player had achieved such a feat since 2002-03, provided plenty of attacking power.
But more concerningly is the tally of 58 goals conceded last season, as highlighted by the manner of their fall from grace in which they failed to reach the play-offs. Forest’s defence needs improving if they are to challenge for promotion again this season.
Along with the rest of the defensive line, Gabriel showed nerviness in defence. The young full-back hastily cleared balls out of play when his team-mates appeared to be in a good position and, on occasion, he struggled to hold onto the ball when under pressure.
Whilst the 21-year-old was involved in the only goal of the game, it is hard to place any blame on him. In what was a moment of panic within the six-yard box, Brice Samba blocked an initial shot before Cauley Woodrow stuck a leg out ahead of Gabriel to scramble the ball across the line.
What was slightly more concerning – but again, hard to pinpoint blame for – was when Samba looked to clip the ball out to Gabriel while under pressure. The ball was stolen ahead of the unexpecting full-back, played wide to Conor Chaplin and crossed to an unmarked Woodrow who headed over – Woodrow rose high to meet the ball under no challenge from Gabriel.
What Does the Future Hold for Gabriel?
It is important to remember that Gabriel is by no means as experienced in senior football as any of his teammates – this was, after all, his debut for Nottingham Forest.
Speaking afterwards, Lamouchi appeared to offer some words of support to the young full-back – who made his debut alongside Tyler Blackett and Fouad Bachirou.
Asked whether he was impressed with Gabriel’s debut showing, boss Lamouchi said: “Yeah, for the first performance. There were one or two mistakes in the second half, but the first half was more or less perfect.
“It was positive.”
Chances to make an impression in the first team are a real potential for Gabriel.
Lamouchi confirmed following the defeat that he is not searching for a replacement for the departed Cash, while 20-year-old Jayden Richardson would be sent on another loan.
Richardson spent last season with League Two play-off finalists Exeter City. He made 34 appearances for the fourth tier side, including 18 starts, but the 20-year-old academy product was unable to cement a spot in the Grecians’ starting 11.
The only other options for Lamouchi would be Jenkinson and Darikwa. Former Arsenal and West Ham full-back Jenkinson has two years left on his deal at the City Ground but, having failed to impress in ten appearances, his chances could be coming to an end.
Darikwa, meanwhile, has just one year remaining at the City Ground. Since joining from Burnley in July 2017, his first two seasons with the Midlands outfit proved to be the most successful. The arrival of Lamouchi, however, has seen him fall down the pecking order – failing to make an appearance at all last season.
It is impossible to, after one appearance, state that Gabriel is destined for glory; however, the young full-back has a great opportunity to make a name for himself with Forest – potentially becoming one of the latest young starlets to grace the City Ground pitch.
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