MY ACCOUNT
Nottingham Forest recruited heavily in the summer but Brennan Johnson remains the star of his boyhood club.
The 21-year-old, son of ex-Forest forward David, has been trusted with leading from the front despite his tender years as Steve Cooper’s outfit look to stave off the drop.
His seven goals in all competitions mean he is the side’s top scorer this term, a tally handily complemented by two Premier League assists.
Ahead of a key meeting with fellow relegation candidates Everton, we take a look at Johnson’s many attributes.
Cooper confidence
Nottingham native Johnson has made more appearances (24) and played more minutes (1,976) than any of his team-mates in the Premier League this season.
Despite the acquisition of a raft of established stars, none have convinced Cooper to select them more frequently than the young attacker.
When asked about Johnson’s burgeoning talent, the Welsh boss said: “He can be wherever he wants to be.
“Behind the scenes, I’m doing everything for him to be the best he can be.
“As I keep saying to him, you’ve got to do your best all the time. That’s his weekly challenge. There’s no ceiling.
“Why stick a ceiling on it? Just be the best you can be all of the time.”
Right-sided threat
Johnson has played in a variety of positions this season, including as a centre forward, a supporting striker, an attacking midfielder and a right winger.
Despite the range of roles in which he has been deployed, the frontman has established himself as one of the most dangerous right-sided threats in the division.
Ahead of Matchday 26, only Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah have taken more shots from the right side of the box than his 13 in the Premier League — not bad company to be in.
That tally accounts for more than a third of his overall total of 37 shots, suggesting that he is consciously pulling out to that side in search of pockets of space.
Speed on the break
One of Johnson’s foremost qualities is the threat he poses on the break.
He has taken nine shots following counter-attacks in the league this season, behind only Salah.
The Wales international is yet to be rewarded for his endeavour from these situations but he is bound to start converting more regularly from fast breaks, given the frequency with which he finds himself in those situations.
Cooper’s Forest have a tendency to sit back and soak up pressure, making Johnson an ideal weapon.
Stan’s man
The variety of Johnson’s skills in attacking areas has caught the eye of many pundits this season, including former Forest favourite Stan Collymore.
Collymore, who scored 22 goals in 37 appearances for the East Midlanders between 1993 and 1995, said: “In terms of what he gives, he gives pace, enthusiasm, lots of confidence and he keeps going.
“He’s not one of those players who after two or three runs gives up. You give him the ball, he will make things happen.
“Obviously, Forest adding a lot of attacking players and players in positions that are experienced will help him along the way.
“If he can get into double figures in his debut Premier League season, that will be exceptional.
“I’m sure he will go on — if he stays at the club, and stays injury fee — to be a Nottingham Forest legend.”
Firing Forest to victory against Everton will inch the club closer to safety and could further solidify Johnson’s fast-growing reputation.
