Nottingham Forest prevailed 3-2 at Southampton to keep up the pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League table – but this wasn’t an easy game.
In actuality, it should have been a cakewalk. Forest roared out of the blocks, scoring three times in just over 30 minutes, with goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Chris Wood.
However, the Reds allowed Southampton to climb back into the game. Jan Bednarek scored a freakish goal that deflected over Matz Sels, and with 11 minutes of injury time remaining, Paul Onuachu headed home to make things even more nerve-wracking.
Callum Hudson-Odoi limped off during the game, and the hope is that it is nothing serious for him to deal with. Jota Silva, his replacement, was given an extended opportunity to prove himself in the team after Nuno Espirito Santo called him up from the bench.
Jota Silva fluffs his lines after Nottingham Forest chance
This shouldn’t be a time to trash players — especially after another victory. Silva, on the other hand, will be disappointed with his performance after being called up from the bench after only 37 minutes.
Silva came on and played on the right, with Anthony Elanga taking over on the left after Hudson-Odoi was unable to continue due to a bothersome leg.
The 25-year-old is generally all-action, and after failing to capitalize on his last chance in the starting eleven for an extended length of time, this would have been a watershed moment for Silva.
However, things did not go his way, and this was a performance he will want to forget as he attempts to get into the Forest team.
Jota Silva statistics vs. Southampton
Silva is undoubtedly a player, and it is up to Espirito Santo to discover him in the future years. Indeed, his ability to play anywhere in the front three is a valuable advantage.
| Jota Silva stats vs Southampton | Total |
| Minutes | 53 (+12 stoppage time) |
| Pass Accuracy | 69.2% |
| Successful Crosses | 0 |
| Touches | 24 |
| Passes | 13 |
| Who Scored Rating | 6.31 |
Silva could learn from Hudson-Odoi’s experience. He knows exactly when to maintain control and when to try to assault his man from the flanks.
Silva is now exceedingly raw and borderline foolish in both his attacking approach and his decision to call unnecessary fouls on opposition players.
Silva must go through a learning process in order to be successful in his move to England. Today, it does appear as though he fluffed his lines a little bit and he will hope to improve as the season reaches it’s final few months.
