Video: Aitor Karanka speaks out about Ben Brereton leading the Reds’ attack
Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has silenced critics of 18-year-old striker Ben Brereton leading the line.
So far this season Brereton has scored four goals in 28 games for the Reds in all competitions.
Forest have scored 11 goals in 12 games in all competitions since Aitor Karanka took charge with five coming in one game, away in a 5-2 league win at Queen’s Park Rangers in which the young striker scored in injury time.
And in the pre-match press conference for the Reds’ trip to Sheffield United on Saturday (March 17), manager Aitor Karanka said his decisions will always be criticised by some.
He said: “There will be people that say Ben isn’t ready and then some who will say in one or two years he didn’t have opportunities.
“So I need to take the decision and I know Ben is a very good player – he’s a player that’s come through the academy and feels for this club.
“He’s the kind of player we have to help because he has a great future and the only way to improve him is to give him confidence.”
Video: Aitor Karanka on Ben Brereton’s qualities and what he needs to work on
Aitor Karanka went on to say what impresses him most about Ben Brereton and what he could do to improve his game.
He said: “Ben needs to be more aggressive and stronger but he’s just 18-years-old and is playing against the likes of Keogh and Davies against Derby last weekend.
“That’s great for him because he’s learning a lot and when he plays and holds the ball in the way he did against Reading, and the way he players against QPR, it shows he’s doing really well.
“He’s young and he will have amazing games and those that aren’t as good as the others but the only way to give young players confidence is to play them.”
