Joe Gardner scored the first goal, and James Perch was all over him after the game, but there were other standout players as well.
With six saves in the game, goalie Aaron Bott demonstrated why Forest gave him playing time in the preseason.
Whitehall took his goal well, whilst Josh Powell and Fin Back both showed why they’ve been around the Forest first team before too.
During Nottingham Forest’s under-21 victory, Kyle McAdam shines.
After the Reds’ decisive victory away at Carlisle on Tuesday, the under-21 team is now hoping to advance to the next round of competition for the second straight year.
At Brunton Park, Abbott was once again on point, showcasing his qualities each time he makes an appearance.
It was clear on Tuesday that the 19-year-old is among the more seasoned players in development team football. According to Sofa Score, McAdam had a very respectable performance across the pitch, finishing 26 of his 29 attempted passes with a 90% success ratio, winning four of the eight ground duels he contested, and setting up the game-winning goal. He also displayed a lot of energy to break through the offside trap and cut the ball back for Whitehall to score.
The adolescent is still learning a lot, and because Osborn never made a Premier League appearance for Forest, McAdam will be hoping to surpass the academy graduate in that regard.
But it’s safe to say that he’s showing some traits that resemble those of Osborn, who played 230 games for the team and recorded 31 assists in addition to 16 goals.
This season, McAdam has participated in four games for Forest: three in Premier League 2 and one in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Even though the season is young, McAdam has already seen action as a flanker, central midfielder, and center back, demonstrating his versatility.
READ MORE: Important person explains why Nottingham Forest passed on a player worth £28 million.
If you become a master at none of your trades, then being a jack of all trades isn’t necessarily a good thing. However, there is a sense that McAdam can go a long way in the game and produce the goods for Forest in the future.
McAdam plays with a smile on his face, fire in his belly and never gives up.
Those qualities are what the Forest academy demands as mandatory requirements and the teenager could be a star of the future at the City Ground if he stays on an upward trajectory
The under-21 squad is very much back together under interim manager Lee Carsley, who has called up Forest star Gibbs-White along with Noni Madueke and Angel Gomes.
Ever since joining Forest, Gibbs-White has been making repeated visits to the team. Last season he came of age, with six goals and 10 assists as the Reds remained a Premier League club again.
Earlier this week, Neco Williams declared Gibbs-White the best player at Forest and his importance to the team doesn’t go unrecognised among the City Ground fan base.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest were rejected by £12.5m player before Ward-Prowse capture
