Carragher Singles Out Anderson for Poor Form Following Forest’s Newcastle Loss
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE – Nottingham Forest’s winless start under manager Ange Postecoglou extended to seven games today following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has identified one player’s poor performance as particularly concerning.
Following the game at St. James’ Park, Carragher’s analysis focused heavily on the disappointing display of midfielder Elliot Anderson. The former Newcastle academy player, who conceded the late penalty that sealed Forest’s fate, has been struggling for form since Postecoglou took the reins, and his performance today was scrutinised.
Carragher was critical of Anderson’s role in the penalty incident, which was awarded after he fouled Bruno Guimarães in the box. The penalty resulted in Nick Woltemade scoring Newcastle’s second goal. Earlier in the pre-match coverage, Carragher had referred to Anderson as the “one that got away” for Newcastle, but his comments post-match shifted to the player’s current struggles.
While the pundit has been an outspoken critic of Postecoglou’s return to the Premier League, even calling him “fortunate” to get another job and branding owner Evangelos Marinakis a “walking hand grenade,” his specific criticism after today’s loss was directed at the player’s execution on the pitch. Anderson’s struggles have been seen as symptomatic of Forest’s wider difficulties, which have seen the team concede 13 goals in six games under the new manager.
The 2-0 loss was a bitter return to his former club for Anderson, who was visibly disconsolate at full-time and was consoled by both Postecoglou and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. Carragher’s comments will now add pressure to the young player to improve his form as Forest slips into the bottom half of the table.
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