Nottingham Forest have got “one of the best in the league” when it comes to being a set-piece specialist.
Manchester United loanee James Garner has been praised by midfield teammate Ryan Yates for his delivery from free-kicks and corners. It is a threat the Reds will look to make the most of as they try to get past Sheffield United in the play-offs.
Fifteen of Forest’s 73 Championship goals came via a set-piece this season, with only Huddersfield Town (20), Millwall (19) Fulham (17), Luton Town and Blackpool (both 16) registering more. And Yates has pointed to Premier League leaders Manchester City - who have scored 20 in that manner - as an illustration of the weapon they can be.
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“The delivery has got to be good, it’s got to be in the right areas. We’ve got one of the best in the league at that in James. He’s unbelievable,” said the 24-year-old, who will hope to recover from a blow to the shoulder to face the Blades in the semi-final first leg at Bramall Lane on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
“A lot of credit has got to go to him. It probably goes under the radar a bit. He is always practising them, and he is such a threat.
“So much credit has also got to go upstairs, to the analyst team. You wouldn’t believe the amount of time they spend looking at corners and free-kicks. It is unbelievable.
“They are giving us all the information, we’ve got to go and execute it. It’s a culmination of all of that.
“I think we can score even more. The best teams, the Man Citys and Liverpools, have scored the most goals from set-pieces this year. You wouldn’t think that about Man City, but they have scored the most goals from set-pieces in the Premier League. It just shows, if you want to be right up there, you have to convert your chances from set-pieces.
“I got so many chances from set-pieces last season, but didn’t take them. I was hitting the crossbar or the post, or it was off the line.
“It’s something I work on every single day, looking at my clips. And I’ve been reaping the benefits. But I can still get more.
“This season has been my best return of goals. But next year I want to score even more.”
