Cobblers will 'rally around' West Ham United youngster after first half sub in Wimbledon win
Cobblers will ‘rally around’ Michael Forbes after the young defender was taken off before half-time during Friday’s Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old centre-back, who’s at Sixfields on a season-long loan from Premier League club West Ham United, has been a regular for much of the campaign, starting 13 of Northampton’s 20 League One games and coming off the bench in another two. He’s also played three cup games.
Forbes started again for Wimbledon’s visit to Sixfields last Friday but he did not make it to half-time after a challenging first half in which Cobblers struggled defensively, with Max Dyche introduced. Kevin Nolan then made another change at the break when taking off midfielder Dean Campbell for attacker Kamarai Swyer.
"I had to change it earlier than I would have liked but sometimes you have to protect young lads and we will protect Forbesy and we'll get around him because it's a tough place to be,” said Nolan.
"I've been there before and you sometimes have those moments when you're first starting out as a young player but he'll be fine and he'll be a better player and a better person for it.
"I don't want Deano to be too disappointed either because he's been excellent for us. I spoke to him after the game and I said to him that you have days like that where it doesn't go to plan, the same with Forbesy.
"I'm delighted with the output of both of them but we've assembled the squad so we’re able to make changes and take people off and players can come on and give us something different and they did that tonight.
"I wasn’t happy at half-time but the boys took it on the chin and they came out and won the game, which is really pleasing because we're at Sixfields and we want to win. Wimbledon are a good side and they are out-performing many people's expectations but that's what we want to do as well. Johnnie (Jackson) has done a great job and they aren't an easy team to play against – they'll take plenty of points off good sides this season.”
Nolan made three changes to the team for the win over Wimbledon after five alterations against Peterborough the previous weekend, and more rotation is on the cards over Christmas with three games in seven days.
Nolan added: "We have a squad that can handle these situations and there will be opportunities for other players to stand up and say 'I want that shirt, I want that position' and we're going to keep pushing them. We’re in a position where we can make changes between games.”