---
title: "Unsung Hero: Nottingham Forest’s Joe Lolley combines defence and attack in brilliant performance in narrow win"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/unsung-hero-nottingham-forests-joe-lolley-combines-defence-and-attack-in-brilliant-performance-in-narrow-win/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-11-11T18:15:24Z"
modified: "2019-11-11T18:15:24Z"
---

# Unsung Hero: Nottingham Forest’s Joe Lolley combines defence and attack in brilliant performance in narrow win

**Nottingham Forest overcame East Midlands rivals Derby County 1-0 in a close Championship encounter with one player performing well at both ends of the pitch.**

Lewis Grabban scored the only goal of the game after he was gifted possession after a loose pass by Jayden Bogle’s across his own penalty area [(via BBC)](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50271668).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Unsung-heros.png)

Phillip Cocu’s side did their best to leave with a point as they forged **seven shots on target**, three more than Forest, who had 20 shots to Derby’s 11.

Brice Samba was brilliant in goal for Sabri Lamouchi’s side as he made a mammoth seven saves to keep out the Rams during the 90 minutes [(via WhoScored)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381568/Live/England-Championship-2019-2020-Nottingham-Forest-Derby).

As always Grabban popped up with the crucial goal for the City Ground side as [he scored his seventh of the Championship season](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381568/Live/England-Championship-2019-2020-Nottingham-Forest-Derby).

However, it was Joe Lolley, who performed superbly at both ends of the pitch as he proved a crucial figure for the Reds.

Lolley made the [joint-third most tackles (3) and the joint-fifth most interceptions (1)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381568/LiveStatistics/England-Championship-2019-2020-Nottingham-Forest-Derby) of any Forest player as he provided a defensive cover in wide areas.

Going forward, the 27-year-old also had a brilliant impact on the game, [playing the joint-second most key passes (2) and having the joint-second most shots on goal (3)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381568/LiveStatistics/England-Championship-2019-2020-Nottingham-Forest-Derby).

The Nottingham Post agreed with this assessment as they gave the attacker a seven out of 10, commenting on contribution to the win.

They said: “A few things didn’t come off for him when he got in good positions but overall made a good contribution.” [(Source: Nottingham Post)](https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-derby-player-ratings-3519936)

Lolley’s combination of defensive and attacking play provided balance in wide areas as the Nottinghamshire side looked to keep up the pressure at the top of the Championship.

***Forest fans, what do you make of Lolley’s performance? Let us know your thoughts!***