Ola Aina, the Premier’s lifeguard: he has given him five points! to Forest with his clearances on the line

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Nottingham Forest’s season has many ‘fathers’: Nuno Espirito Santo’s direction, Chris Wood’s goals, Matz Sels’ saves, Morgan Gibbs-White’s passes into space for the runs of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. ..

However, ‘Opta’, through a report by ‘The Analyst’, has revealed a ‘secret’ that had gone more or less unnoticed: the goals avoided on the line by Temitayo Olufisayo Olaoluwa Aina (Southwark, 1996).

“Without these clearances, Nottingham Forest would be five points less,” warns ‘Opta’. That is, it would go from being third in the Premier League, six points behind Liverpool – although with one more game – to being fifth, just one point above City and Newcastle.

Three of the seven clearances that Forest have made on the line, more than any other team in the Premier League, bear the signature of Ola Aina. To put it in context. Only Everton – the entire squad – has added more points (6) with their providential clearances under the sticks than him.

Salah's shot that Aina took over the line.

Salah’s shot that Aina took on the line.Opta The Analyst

The Nigerian international, who can play as a full-back on both wings, saved a header from Dara O’Shea in the victory over Ipswich (1-0) and, in the last two Premier games, he avoided a goal on the line from ‘Mo’ Salahen the 1-1 against Liverpool – with time almost up – and the same from Jan Bernarek in the 3-2 victory against Southampton.

“Aina did the same thing in the previous game against Liverpool. It’s one of her tasks,” admitted Nuno, who, however, did not avoid self-criticism in this regard: “I hope that the dead ball does not become a problem for us. We have to work on it.”

Aina did the same in the previous match against Liverpool. It is one of your tasks

Ola Aina

It is not, logically, its only task. The former Chelsea, Hull City, Torino and Fulham player, a regular in Forest’s eleven, has two goals and an assist – he gave it to Wood in the 3-2 win over Southampton – in the 22 games he has played this season in Premier.

“He is incredibly prepared to do this job”

Andy Parslow, Sheffield Wednesday’s strategy play coach, also offers his explanation of Aina’s role to ‘Opta’: “It is not necessarily about placing a player supported on the post. Aina’s role is not that. “He tries to clear the ball first – Forest defends in the zone – and if he can’t, he moves back to protect the goal, as he has excellent qualities to do so.”

“His clearance against Southampton was an impressive display of excellent ball flight reading, athleticism and quick reactions. He is incredibly well equipped to do this job. It is not simply about the ball hitting him, but a proactive role that requires true skill,” concludes Parslow. One thing is certain: Forest are safe with Aina.

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