Garry Birtles makes Nottingham Forest prediction regarding James Garner | OneFootball

Garry Birtles has backed James Garner to play a “big part” for Nottingham Forest between now and the end of the season.

Forest have really improved since Steve Cooper’s arrival at the City Ground, picking up 13 points from a possible 15 so far.

On Tuesday night, they made it four wins on the bounce after scoring two goals in stoppage time to beat Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate.

Garner reclaimed his place in the starting line-up that night, having been benched for Jack Colback in the previous two games.

Garner’s performances haven’t been as impressive as they were during his loan spell in the second half of last season, but he remains a key player for the Reds despite a new manager being in place.

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Birtles backed Garner to play a “big part” for Cooper going forward this term.

“I think going forward in the second half (at Bristol City), it was a mixed bag from pretty much everybody but it doesn’t matter, that will come.

“He (Garner) will be part of something that’s pretty good because he’s a gifted player and can play a big part in us going forward this season.

“I think now, Steve’s getting in his own mind his best starting 11 and that’s always something important when you’ve got that on your mind, who your best starting 11 are, before any substitutions were made, there’s so much on the bench if need be that Steve Cooper can change things with.

“When he thought he was right changing, he did change it and you like to see that, those changes worked (against Bristol City).”

The Verdict

Perhaps being named on the bench for two games gave Garner a bit of a wake-up call, but not so much in a bad way.

He’s still a young player who is very much learning his trade, and it’s hard to forget how young he still is given the way he performed last season.

He’s a huge talent who Forest are lucky to have.