TOWN have signed a “quality left-sided centre-back” in Joel Lynch.
That’s the message from respected Nottingham Forest writer Paul Taylor, who says the majority of City Ground fans will be disappointed to see him leave.
Lynch became Town’s fifth close-season signing on a three-year contract and Taylor, of the Nottingham Evening Post, says Simon Grayson has landed a player who flourished in the second half of last season.
“Joel is a very solid defender, but he’s a bit more than a ‘head it and kick it’ kind of guy and he’s a very honest player,” said Taylor, who has been busy covering the takeover of Forest by the Al-Hasawi family.
“He is strong in the air, good in the tackle and he can pass the ball well, too.
“I think he’s got a good bit of pace as well, when he needs it, but his biggest quality – and the one which Forest really appreciated him for – was that he’s left-footed.
“Just to have someone left-footed on the left side of central defence – which for a long time was a weak link with Forest – was a real bonus and when Joel got in that slot, following the departure of West Morgan in January, he really flourished and did well.”
Lynch was second in Forest’s Player of the Year vote last season behind Gareth McCleary, who left the City Ground just after the season finished to join Premier League newcomers Reading.
The 24-year-old Lynch and McCleary are two of six players to have left Forest who they would ideally like to have kept – the others being Luke Chambers (Ipswich), Paul Anderson (training with Notts County as he looks for a club), Paul Smith and George Boateng (both still to get fixed up).
Forest, of course, visit the Galpharm on Tuesday, August 21, in the second Championship fixture of the campaign, so Lynch will get an early chance to impress against his former employers.
“Joel can play left-back, but I think he was a bit frustrated to be asked to play there more than he would have liked at times,” added Taylor.
“He has always been happier playing in the centre of defence and when he was given that chance last season he really came to the fore.
“Morgan and Chambers were Forest’s main pairing in the early part of last season, but when Morgan went, Joel went in alongside Chambers and quickly became very popular indeed with supporters.
“There hasn’t been too much reaction at this early stage to him leaving, simply because everyone is focused on the takeover and what it means for the club going forward, but the fans will most probably be disappointed to see him go.
“His stature grew last season – when he stepped up from being something of a fringe player to being an integral part of the team – and his popularity can be gauged by the fact he was second only to McCleary in the Player of the Year voting.”
