Swan Flies Under The Radar

On Sunday afternoon midst yet another poor performance against the appropriately named Swansea City, Nottingham Forest Manager Chris Hughton gave a first-team debut to a fresh-faced fledgling forward named Swan.

I read a tweet on the same day from the Young Elizabethan Football League that stated “Congratulations to former Market Warsop & YEL player Will Swan for making his debut” continuing “Great to see local players progressing to first team” then I thought to myself… Why amongst the fans and press packs’ continuous criticism of the club with all doom and gloom of late, has this been totally missed as at least what should be a positive annotation of our great academy?

Everybody is aware of the situation at Nottingham Forest, performances have not been good enough, whether it be the fault of the owners? the manager? the players? The fans? Ryan Yates or even good old David Platt? Whoever you blame, the only way of pulling through, is by pulling through together as one, by giving the Manager time to get things right… And credit to Chris Hughton, he’s seen a lack of firepower in his inherited squad and gambled on a youngster which over the years, has always been the Forest way.

No question the clubs Academy is still churning out quality footballers so at least that part of the system is working… So why not rely on it to bide Hughton time and allow players with a point to prove the chance to shine.

Will Swan is a 20-year-old that has come through the system, scoring goals regularly for the U23’s he went on loan to Southern League Truro City last season and scored nine goals in nine games before March. ‘Incredible form’ in the city of Truro’s own words. Swan said he enjoyed playing in Cornwall, suggesting upon leaving “It’s been a great learning opportunity” and “I’m happy with how I’ve done” and following that form in a tough non-league environment away from family down south, he’s now had the confidence to muscle his way up into the Forest first team picture.

Having been at the club since the age of 13 he has eight goals already for Andy Reid’s under 23’s this season and his intelligence in movement and workrate are qualities possessed by a player who’s a natural when it comes to finishing too.

His influence against Swansea was minimal with only three touches in the fourteen minutes he was on the field for on Sunday but time and application will tell more if he’s ready or willing to work to get ready for the levels that the club demands him to be at.

On selecting him for the bench against Bournemouth and Swansea, an admirer already, Chris Hughton said “He’s impressed me when I’ve seen him. I’ve watched two under-23s games live and in training here.”

“He’s impressed in those games. He looks like he’s always going to get an opportunity to score goals.”

“He’s got that pace to get him away from defenders. If I’m looking at the under-23s squad we’ve got, speaking to Gary Brazil and Andy Reid, he’s one of the players that has done better, so it’s a reward for him.”

Whether Swan will continue to feature or not will largely depend on the fitness of Lewis Grabban as immediate competition for Lyle Taylor, but hope is that as long as the Academy is producing, the new Manager (and yes he is still new) will keep looking, and in youth at Nottingham Forest, we always seem to trust, the hope for Will Swan is that one day, he like many before him can become a regular in the team and hopefully score a few goals too before he either goes on to legendary status or pays back the clubs faith in him with the inevitable multi-million pound transfer as he flies the nest towards greater things.

Not all youngsters do great things so watch with one eye open for now but with a bit of optimism at least, and why not? This paves the way for others to do the same and for Swan himself, he has been rewarded by good performances and attitude which suggests Hughton is looking for more of the same from the others within his squad. Something which we all want to see much more of.