Match of the Day pundits wowed by crucial Nottingham…

Match of the Day pundits wowed by crucial Nottingham Forest move against Leeds United

Steve Cooper's half-time introduction of Serge Aurier has been hailed on Match of the Day 2 following Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win over Leeds United.

Forest went into the interval in front despite having spent the majority of the first half on the back foot, with Leeds spurning a number of chances. Wilfried Gnonto was Leeds' main threat throughout the opening 45 minutes, creating clear-cut opportunities for both Luis Sinisterra and Patrick Bamford, as well as seeing a shot of his own saved by Keylor Navas.

But the Italian was much less of a threat in the second half, and was even moved over to the right-hand side with around 20 minutes to play. Speaking on Match of the Day 2, pundit Nedum Onouha believes the key to Forest nullifying Leeds' threat was down to Cooper's decision to bring Aurier on due to his 'aggressive approach' to stopping Gnonto.

Leon Osman added: “That was it, slightly concerning for Leeds United, they’ve made signings trying to develop Jesse Marsch. He’s said that his team are where he wants them to be and it’s time to start pushing forward but their whole attack, certainly today, centred around this young man Gnonto, who’s been terrific since his debut not too long ago.

"Today he was carrying Leeds as a team, certainly their attack in the first half but if you’ve only got one source of attack the opposition can make changes and stop that from happening.”

Onouha then responded: “Yeah this is why Aurier came on, Keylor Navas was far too busy in the first half. But Aurier came on and he made a big difference because of what we saw of Gnonto in that first half, he was more aggressive in his approach in terms of defending.

"He wasn’t always clean in terms of winning the ball, but Gnonto - he didn’t disappear from the game as such - but he was far less dangerous. Some of the chances that came in that first half, now the second half there wasn’t really anything there.

"He was always set whether Gnonto would try dribble with it or get in behind he did it well, showed good composure, played some balls and so it was a great tactical adjustment by Cooper so in the end they’ll be happy with the result.”

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