A closer look at the performances of Nottingham Forest’s defenders in the league this season.
With another international break upon us, what better time to take a closer look at one of Nottingham Forest’s star performers this season?
Defenders rarely get the credit they deserve, but using HITC’s formula to calculate defensive contribution by adding up key attributes, one Forest defender comes out head and shoulders above his teammates.
Jack Hobbs may have only featured 13 times for Forest this season due to injury, but in that time he has proved just how good he is and how much his side could do with him on a regular basis.
The 26-year-old was recently ruled out with a hamstring injury he picked up against Blackpool in February, prompting him to miss the next eight games; that after he fought back from an ankle injury that ultimately required surgery.
But when he has been on the pitch, he has been brilliant, as can be seen from his statistics to date.
| Outfield blocks per game | Tackles won per game | Effective clearances per game | Effective headed clearances per game | Duels won per game | Aerials won per game | Interceptions won per game | Total | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Collins | 1 | 0.5 | 5.13 | 3.63 | 2.88 | 2.13 | 2.38 | 17.65 | 632 |
| Jack Hobbs | 1 | 1.09 | 11.82 | 8 | 6.73 | 4.45 | 2.09 | 35.18 | 925 |
| Jamaal Lascelles | 1 | 0.73 | 7.09 | 5.09 | 4.64 | 3.14 | 1.41 | 23.1 | 1,524 |
| Michael Mancienne | 0.72 | 1.45 | 9.03 | 6 | 6.1 | 3.48 | 2.41 | 29.19 | 2,541 |
| Todd Kane | 0.6 | 2 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 14.4 | 428 |
| Kelvin Wilson | 0.53 | 0.89 | 6.37 | 4 | 3.58 | 1.84 | 1.79 | 19 | 1,570 |
| Daniel Fox | 0.39 | 1.52 | 4.96 | 3.91 | 5.09 | 2.26 | 1.3 | 19.43 | 1,937 |
| Eric Lichaj | 0.36 | 1.69 | 5.11 | 3.39 | 4.72 | 1.5 | 2.08 | 18.85 | 2,748 |
The Forest centre-back comes out with a score of 35.18, putting him streets ahead of his fellow defenders at the City Ground.
He shines when it comes to effective clearances per appearance (both with his feet and with his head), while he also comes out on top in terms of duels won and successful aerial battles contested.
For now Forest manager Dougie Freedman will simply be hoping to get his key player fully fit and ready for the challenges ahead; but when that day comes, his side look set to benefit from a player who deserves plenty of credit for his brilliant performances.
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