24-02-2020, 09:46 AM
Article published in Athletic.
Joe Lolley:
“In terms of captains, Watson and Michael Dawson are the best two I have had since I have been playing. They are brilliant around the dressing room. It is a shame that they are both so old, because it means they are not going to be around forever!
“Sometimes managers have different opinions and different ways of playing — different positions and different roles in the side can suit different players. The position that Ben has been playing this season has suited him down to a tee. He fits into how we set up and how we want to play. It has been perfect for him and the team.
Aitor Karanka and Martin O’Neill used Watson only sporadically, with Jack Colback the preferred option. But while many were debating whether Forest would sign Colback from Newcastle for a third time, Lamouchi immediately regarded Watson as an integral figure, as the head coach found his footing in his new role during a pre-season training camp in Spain.
The arrival of Sow was hugely influenced by Jose Anigo, the head of international recruitment at Forest — who also had a big part in the arrival of Brice Samba. But Lamouchi was also an advocate of Sow’s signing.
“I agree that, when they (Sow and Watson) play together, we have a bit of extra quality in midfield,” Lamouchi tells The Athletic. “Beyond that, Joe Worrall and Ben Watson have played every Championship game. We are in February. We have a young man and an old man — but they are both so important for us.”
Perhaps because of Sow’s injury issue, Lamouchi is keen to highlight the importance of the 34-year-old Watson and 23-year-old Worrall, the two players who have started every single Championship game for Forest.
“For me, Ben is not doing well — the word is amazing,” adds Lamouchi. “He is an amazing player. He is my brain on the pitch. With my players, I am not afraid about the words I use — perhaps because I am not English, so I can make some mistakes. But I always just want to be honest with them. What Ben is doing now is just amazing.
“Watson has such a big brain, he can play like that without any problem. He is fantastic. He is unbelievable without the ball and fantastic with it. He has a quality of pass, he is very clever and he is always in a good position. He gives balance to the team. Joe Worrall, while playing not in his best position (as a left-sided central defender) is doing very well. He does not get any stupid yellow cards. He stays on his feet when he defends. He does not make stupid mistakes. He scores goals.
“He can improve, because he loves to be a Forest player. The club is lucky to have players like them; players like Cashy, Worrall, Yates, Watson, Dawson — they all love to be Forest players.”
Joe Lolley:
“In terms of captains, Watson and Michael Dawson are the best two I have had since I have been playing. They are brilliant around the dressing room. It is a shame that they are both so old, because it means they are not going to be around forever!
“Sometimes managers have different opinions and different ways of playing — different positions and different roles in the side can suit different players. The position that Ben has been playing this season has suited him down to a tee. He fits into how we set up and how we want to play. It has been perfect for him and the team.
Aitor Karanka and Martin O’Neill used Watson only sporadically, with Jack Colback the preferred option. But while many were debating whether Forest would sign Colback from Newcastle for a third time, Lamouchi immediately regarded Watson as an integral figure, as the head coach found his footing in his new role during a pre-season training camp in Spain.
The arrival of Sow was hugely influenced by Jose Anigo, the head of international recruitment at Forest — who also had a big part in the arrival of Brice Samba. But Lamouchi was also an advocate of Sow’s signing.
“I agree that, when they (Sow and Watson) play together, we have a bit of extra quality in midfield,” Lamouchi tells The Athletic. “Beyond that, Joe Worrall and Ben Watson have played every Championship game. We are in February. We have a young man and an old man — but they are both so important for us.”
Perhaps because of Sow’s injury issue, Lamouchi is keen to highlight the importance of the 34-year-old Watson and 23-year-old Worrall, the two players who have started every single Championship game for Forest.
“For me, Ben is not doing well — the word is amazing,” adds Lamouchi. “He is an amazing player. He is my brain on the pitch. With my players, I am not afraid about the words I use — perhaps because I am not English, so I can make some mistakes. But I always just want to be honest with them. What Ben is doing now is just amazing.
“Watson has such a big brain, he can play like that without any problem. He is fantastic. He is unbelievable without the ball and fantastic with it. He has a quality of pass, he is very clever and he is always in a good position. He gives balance to the team. Joe Worrall, while playing not in his best position (as a left-sided central defender) is doing very well. He does not get any stupid yellow cards. He stays on his feet when he defends. He does not make stupid mistakes. He scores goals.
“He can improve, because he loves to be a Forest player. The club is lucky to have players like them; players like Cashy, Worrall, Yates, Watson, Dawson — they all love to be Forest players.”