Joe Lolley was arguably the best player on the pitch as Nottingham Forest beat Championship rivals Derby County at the City Ground on Monday.
Gary Rowett has paid tribute to Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley despite seeing his former Derby County side lose 1-0 at the City Ground on Monday night, while speaking on Sky Sports (25 February, 7.30pm).
Forest were the better team throughout in the second East Midlands derby of the season, scoring the winner after just 74 seconds via the former Leicester City defender Yohan Benaloune with Frank Lampard’s Rams failing to muster a convincing response.
But, while Benalouane was the hero, Joe Lolley was arguably the best player on the pitch. He was typically direct and creative, giving 38-year-old Ashley Cole the runaround.
Speaking after the game, Rowett has praised the improvements Lolley has made this season.
“In the last two or three years you will see little spells in games where he (Lolley) will do something magical and you’ll wonder whether he can just sustain that for longer,” said Rowett, who led Derby into the play-offs last season.
“This season he is putting it together. That may be because he is playing more games. He has added those key stats to his game which are assists and goals.
“Tonight he opened the game and allowed his team to attack for periods. He has been superb this season.”
The 26-year-old former Huddersfield Town attacker has scored seven goals and produced a further eight assists in the Championship and has found himself linked with numerous Premier League clubs as a result.
Forest fans can rest easy, however, with Lolley signing a contract until 2023 earlier this month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
