“Now I am back, I am ready,” was the message Nottingham Forest striker Tyler Walker sent to Reds fans in a recent interview with Paul Taylor for the Athletic.
With Forest failing in January to purchase cover for star-striker Lewis Grabban, the club eventually turned their sights onto one of their own. Performing impressively on-loan at Lincoln City, with 14 goals in 26 starts, Walker had demonstrated his keen eye for goal, proving enough to convince Nottingham Forest to recall him.
Upon his return to the Forest side, he played an ineffectual 14 minutes from the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham. However, Walker would make his mark in the next fixture, once again off the bench, by scoring the second in a well-earned and hugely important 2-0 win against promotion rivals Leeds.
Walker’s first start for Forest came during Tuesday night’s disappointing home defeat to Charlton after Grabban was ruled out with a knee injury. Despite Taylor’s positive comments on Walker’s performance, Reds fans have been somewhat less optimistic about the striker’s ability.
Amid a frustrating, disappointing night, one #NFFC man almost took his chance to shine.
With Lewis Grabban fighting to be fit to face West Brom, Tyler Walker’s appetite for goals could be vital… https://t.co/jHbhcvhpq0— Paul Taylor (@nottmtails) February 12, 2020
He only really had a couple of half chances last night. If one of them had gone in we would all be feeling happier today. No real service last night. That said the Charlton striker was top draw and we knew how good because he scored against us at their place too! #nffc
— Steve Battlemuch (@Battlemuch4WW) February 12, 2020
Hold on a minute.
He missed 2 glorious chances to get us back in the game. One of them he hasn’t even hit the target from inside the 6 yard box.
This isn’t a man who’s come in from the cold either he’s played weekly.
He looked average and bullied.
— G-Star (@G_J_C2) February 12, 2020
Fans constantly said in January #NFFC needed to get a proven championship striker as cover for Grabban. The club’s hierarchy have in effect cost us promotion if Grabban’s injury keeps him out for few weeks or months.
A classic Forest own goal !
Goodbye promotion ?— Antonio (@Antonio13111275) February 12, 2020
Almost…but didn’t.
Highlighted out squad deficiencies.— bosstrade (@bosstrade) February 12, 2020
Honestly Paul, I expected him to look a bit bigger, stronger, faster than a few years ago. But he looked like exactly the same player. It’s only one game so it’s too early to really know, but League One might be his level.
— rivermist (@rivermist_) February 12, 2020
Thought I was the only one who thought Walker was not good enough, didn’t think he had improved since last spell in team.. There a reason he is loaned out so many times.
— Jim Young (@jimstel49) February 12, 2020
What do we think?
Walker clearly has an eye for goal, as is evident from his time with the Imps. Not only did the forward score 14 times, including five in five consecutive matches, but he also registered an impressive average of 2.2 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per game (via WhoScored).
Forest and Lincoln also both utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation, meaning that Walker will already have gained the tactical awareness to operate effectively in Lamouchi’s system. Given time and a little bit of patience, Walker could yet prove himself a valuable asset in Forest’s promotion push.