Greek international Tachtsidis has joined Nottingham Forest on a free – what does this mean for Ben Watson?
Aitor Karanka has never been a particularly expressive tactician. And his pragmatic approach is rather summed up by the two defensive midfielders who have featured regularly in Nottingham Forest’s first six Championship games of the 2018/19 season.
And the Jack Colback – Ben Watson partnership has been the subject of plenty of criticism on the back of Saturday’s deserved 2-1 defeat at high-flying Brentford. Watson, in particular, has seen his role in the team questioned by fans who are desperate to see cautious Karanka take off the handbrake.
The experienced midfielder, who arrived on a free transfer from Watford in February, has featured in four Championship fixtures this season. But Forest have not won any of those games and his place could soon come under pressure.
Upgrade?
As confirmed by the club, Forest have made Greek international Panagiotis Tachtsidis their 15th signing of the summer. The 27-year-old former Roma and Genoa man has arrived for nothing after leaving Olympiakos at the end of last season.
Tachtsidis could be considered an upgrade on the veteran Watson. He is more dynamic and aggressive than the former Wigan Athletic man while boasting a more expansive range of passing.
A Tachtsidis – Colback partnership appears, on paper at least, a far more cohesive fit in the centre of the park. Watson, then, could be about to fall down the pecking order.
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