Nottingham Forest booked their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic 10-9 penalty shootout win over Bury, and fans were thrilled by the performance of substitute goalkeeper Luke Steele.
The 33-year-old made his first appearance for Forest last night after being subbed on following the dismissal of Jordan Smith in the 33rd minute of the game.
He didn’t concede a goal in normal time but did let in nine penalties in the shootout, after Matty Cash equalised for the home side in the 93rd minute.
However, Forest scored ten and Steele scored a penalty himself, and fans are thanking him for getting Forest through to the next round.
One fan went as far as to say that Forest should build a statue for him while another said that his display should confirm him as number two behind Costel Pantilimon.
Smith came in for severe criticism after his red card and fans are hoping that’s the last they see of him.
Here are the best reactions to Luke Steele’s Forest debut:
i’ll take it that’s Steele confirmed as our number two then #nffc
— josh (@_smithy37) August 15, 2018
Positives from tonight. Yates looked like he had a bit about him as did Hefele, Robinson & Byram. Steele was a wise purchase. We're through.
Mins in legsNegatives.
Goncalves is going to struggle physically I think
Smith needs move away. Loan or perm to resurrect career #nffc— MOD RED (@ModReds) August 15, 2018
Luke Steele in his first appearance for Forest
Starts on the bench
Introduced on 34 mins
Doesn't concede despite Forest down to 10
Full Time 1-1
Concedes 9 penalties
Scores 1
Saves 2
Some debut ???#nffc pic.twitter.com/wxnaCt9iA0
— Adam Andrew Hayes (@adamhayes900) August 14, 2018
Not having a go at Smith, I'm sure he's miserable enough right now, but that would have been a different game if Steele had started in goal. #NFFC
— RichardM8422 (@RichardM8422) August 14, 2018
When does Luke Steele get a statue outside the Trent End after tonight? Basically put himself up there with Francis tonight. I demand Steele in a Wheel! #NFFC
— James Morton (@jamesmorton90) August 14, 2018
Superb performance ?
— Josh ? (R) (@_NFFCJosh) August 14, 2018
Luke Steele's barmy army #nffc
— Tom Clarke (@TomClarke_3) August 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/JayJayUU/status/1029467553477931009
OPINION
The Nottingham Forest fans are right, that was some debut for Luke Steele. He wouldn’t have expected to get his first game for Forest last night, but the 33-year-old stepped up and showed he had, erm, nerves of steel, as he helped push his side over the line in the Carabao Cup game last night. He joined on a free transfer from Bristol City over the summer, to act as third-choice keeper, but after Jordan Smith came in for sustained criticism last night, he might find himself the stand-in for Pantimilon. He saved the crucial penalty from Eoghan O’Connell, the Bury goalscorer in normal time, after burying his own penalty in front of the grateful home fans. One fan said it would have been a completely different game if Steele had started, but we think that the criticism for Smith is a bit over the top. He didn’t cover himself in glory last night but he can’t be the only person blamed for a performance that would have made spectators wonder who was from the lower league. As it was, Forest just about had enough to get through and Steele should be rewarded with the gloves in the next round.