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Nottingham Forest took a point on their short journey home following their 0-0 draw with arch-rivals Derby County at Pride Park Stadium on Monday, and the performance of Claudio Yacob in the middle of the park certainly stood out.
On the chalkboard
Aitor Karanka stuck with his generally trusted 4-2-3-1 system for the trip to face Frank Lampard’s men, with Yacob keeping his place in the starting XI alongside Jack Colback with Adlene Guedioura on the substitutes’ bench.
The Spanish manager surely would have been tempted to change things around after his side’s five-match unbeaten run came to an end at home to Preston North End previously, but instead he only made one change with Saidy Janko coming in for Matty Cash.
It was a decision that paid off following a clean sheet at what is a tough place to go this season, and the player they signed for nothing in September shone in the middle.
Is he Forest’s most important player?
The 31-year-old may have only made six league appearances for Forest, but he has already made a huge impact and is forming a strong partnership with Jack Colback, who also impressed on Monday.
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According to WhoScored, he made three tackles, three clearances and one block against the Rams, while he also produced one key pass and successfully completed the long ball he attempted.
Perhaps most impressively given his 5ft 11in frame was the fact that the Argentine also won five aerial duels against his opponents at Pride Park Stadium, and helped keep the hosts quiet.
While Lewis Grabban is a goalscorer and Joe Lolley is capable of the spectacular, given the quality and experience Yacob has he may well be Forest’s most important player as we edge towards the second-half of the Championship campaign.
