Garry Birtles, a Nottingham Forest icon, believes one of the club’s players is not suited to playing under Nuno Espirito Santo on home soil.
The Reds drew 2-2 with Wolves at the weekend, leaving their Premier League status hanging in the balance with five games remaining.
Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo scored during the game, but Wolves drew level thanks to two Matheus Cunha goals.
Forest are just one point above the relegation zone with five games remaining, only two of which are at the City Ground.
Forest face a difficult journey to Everton on Sunday, after the Toffees were defeated 6-0 by Chelsea on Monday night.
Birtles has been discussing last week’s performance in preparation for this weekend’s test, and he has a minor issue with one Forest player.
Garry Birtles claims Nottingham Forest guy has’made mistakes’
Ryan Yates, for example, is a Forest star who frequently divides fan opinion – and this season is no exception.
On Saturday, he nearly cost Forest an early lead as a poor pass prompted Murillo to clear off the line from Pablo Sarabia.
Then he failed to help Andrew Omobamidele defend Wolves’ first goal.
He was eventually replaced, and Birtles doesn’t believe Yates is the ideal type of player for home games.
He told the Forest Focus podcast, “I believe Ryan Yates could be more productive away from home.
“I believe that when we play at home, we have to be positive, get on the front foot, and go out and win the game, and it may be a little difficult because when he has possession, he puts his foot on the ball and slows everything down.
“I believe that if he does what he does best, which is break up play and play to his strengths, he will be fruitful.
“It’s similar to Joe Worrall’s predicament while he was there. He was a very honest, local boy who made mistakes from time to time, and Ryan is probably comparable to him in this regard.
“It’s a difficult one because he’s the captain as well – he’s the one leading the time out and that does make a difference as well.”
Ryan Yates must be replaced for the Everton test.
This is not a dig, nor is it a ‘Yates basher’; it is just our opinion that Yates should not be in the starting eleven at Goodison Park this weekend.
Forest must fight fire with fire against Everton, going for the jugular early and attempting to score the first goal.
Yates is a nark, as Jamie Carragher has described him, but Everton are explosive from set pieces, and Yates’ stupid fouls could be avoided this weekend.
At 26 years old, Yates needs to show that he can do more than just run a lot if he wants to establish himself as a Premier League player.
Forest need its best players on the field right now, and Nuno Espirito Santo does not want guys who will slow down possession play.
Yates has had a good run in the team, but Forest must act immediately and replace Danilo in the middle of the park.
