This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Nottingham Forest favourite Matty Cash has hailed the impact of summer signing Brice Samba since the 25-year-old has cemented his spot as the Reds’ number one.
What’s the word?
Forest have started life under Sabri Lamouchi in emphatic style, losing just one match, which came on the opening day to the only side that is above them in the table, West Bromwich Albion.
Samba originally joined the east Midlands club as a backup option to Manchester City loanee Aro Muric but has excelled since being given his debut against Fulham back in August, as shown by the fanbase’s reaction to him recently.
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With the Congolese native between the sticks, Forest are yet to taste defeat and have recorded three clean sheets, per WhoScored.
It could be all the more impressive considering the wealth of riches Lamouchi has at his disposal – aside from the pair already mentioned, he could also call upon Costel Pantilimon, Jordan Smith, Stephen Henderson, and Vladimir Stjkovic.
The Reds’ winger-turned-defender believes Samba betters the lot.
Speaking with the Nottingham Post, Cash said:
“He’s the best goalkeeper I’ve played with. His distribution is ridiculous,
“His shot-stopping is excellent. He’s a fantastic goalie. He’s a big, big signing for the club.
“He’s a legend, a proper funny guy and a great character. He’s a great pro who does everything right on and off the pitch.
“He’s a great asset to the club.
“He can also zing to me when I call for it. He puts it on my foot!”
Bold claim
These are bold claims considering it is still early days in the Championship season.
There are still over 30 games to play, considering it is only October, and anything could happen between now and the end of the season in May.
Forest haven’t been part of the second-tier playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, so if they fail to keep up their rich vein of form and falter at the last hurdle, it’ll be a decade without any kind of reasonable success at the City Ground.
Samba could well be one of the better shot-stoppers that Cash has had behind him, but one mistake or slip-up in a vital game could change all of that.
It is the first time he’s ever played in the English game too, so he has undoubtedly adapted well, but you never know what is coming around the corner.
