TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent has taken aim at the ‘strange’ news from Nottingham Forest this week.
A challenging season for the Reds has been marred by a series of refereeing decisions that did not go their way.
Frustration at the City Ground has been palpable throughout the season, with the team making their displeasure public.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is poised to take legal action if Nuno Espirito Santo’s team fails this season.
Knowing that Luton Town had earned a point on Friday night, Forest were fully aware of what needed to be done today against Sheffield United.
Nuno’s team delivered precisely what was expected of them at Bramall Lane, moving three points clear of the Hatters with two games remaining.
However, what has occurred off the pitch has left Bent perplexed following the events of the last few days at the City Ground.
Darren Bent left bewildered by what Nottingham Forest have done.
Three points against Chris Wilder’s side were just what Forest needed to calm their anxieties after Luton picked up a point last night.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Yates scored earlier today, bringing Forest closer to Premier League survival.
What happens in the next two games will determine what awaits Forest in what might be a busy summer off the play.
With the owner contemplating legal action against the PGMOL if Forest is forced to close, the next several months might be a nightmare.
However, today’s outcome has put some of the VAR debate to rest for the time being, with Forest heading into their last two games knowing that one more win will be enough to keep them in the league.
Speaking on TalkSPORT on Friday, the former Premier League striker discussed the entire scenario surrounding Clattenburg at Forest.
“It felt a little bit…” I didn’t exactly grasp why. Also, I’m not sure what impact he could have made anyway. You will either get a decision or not. I just find it strange, but again, I don’t believe it’s worked out very well,” he explained.
“I’m not sure what they were wanting to gain from that appointment in the first place, because having a referee there isn’t going to change the outcome. His presence or absence would have had little effect on their ability to perform better versus Everton.
Mark Clattenburg’s appointment was nothing short of a calamity for Forest.
Regardless of Forest’s intentions, hiring Clattenburg has left them with a lot of regret.
It has since been alleged that the appointment may have enraged PGMOL, with the club having seen a number of disastrous judgments made against them since.
Several experts slammed Forest’s actions during the Everton catastrophe, with Gary Neville calling for the former referee to retire.
“I asked him to quit because if he saw that Luton tweet, he needed to separate himself from it or be a part of it. If he’s a part of it, I’m thinking, wow,” the Sky Sports representative stated.
