Nottingham Forest have changed their goalkeepers this season more times than Peter Wright changes his darts – and for Matt Turner, it’s been a frustrating campaign.
Wright is renowned for swapping his darts. In some matches, he will change after a few legs but tinkering with goalkeepers isn’t normally something Forest have done.
During the promotion-winning campaign, Forest had Brice Samba. He was the standout number one and when he went to Lens after promotion, Dean Henderson was signed and became the number one.
Had the Crystal Palace stopper not got injured, Henderson would have spent the whole season as the regular custodian. His thigh injury prompted Forest to get Keylor Navas – but he was never viewed as a long-term option.
When Turner signed from Arsenal in the summer, it was anticipated that he’d be the number two. Odysseas Vlachodimos was also signed and his Champions League pedigree was expected to give him the gloves.
A number of errors from Turner – and some pretty lacklustre displays from Vlachodimos prompted Forest to sign Matz Sels in January and the club is now on a third goalkeeper of the season.
Over the past few days, Forest goalkeeper Turner has been able to get some games under his belt. Last night, he helped the USMNT to silverware – and the media have been reacting.
USA media deliver verdict on Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner
It would appear as though the 29-year-old did the business last night. He helped his country claim a clean sheet and win the Nations League, defeating Mexico 2-0 in Texas.
Turner was called upon a number of times and didn’t disappoint. He was rated as a 7/10 performer and theMLS website had some encouraging words for him.
They wrote: “Turner probably didn’t expect to have a quiet night in a Nations League final, but he did. The former New England Revolution shot-stopper was only called to make two saves and had his toughest test late in the match withstanding a barrage of chants from the away fans.”
Forest teammate Giovanni Reyna claimed the Best Player in the Nations League after the game, with Turner claiming the award for Best Goalkeeper after last night’s game.
Turner has now made 38 appearances for his country. He’s firmly established as the number one on the international stage and he must now fight for his shirt at Forest.
What does the future hold at the City Ground for Turner?
Well, it was claimed over the weekend thatForest might actually look to offload both Turner and Vlachodimos in the summer. Neither player has really worked out and both are at an age where regular football is needed.
Turner is an honest professional and it’s highly unlikely that he will have sulked after being dropped. After all, he was the number two stopper at Arsenal and being the backup is something he’s used to.
All the player can do is keep training hard in the hope that Sels picks up an injury or a suspension somewhere along the way.
Right now, it does feel unlikely he will feature for Forest again this season and perhaps Turner does have one eye on next season when his future could lie away from Forest.
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