Manager says Nottingham Forest decision ‘surprising’, ‘very, very good player’

 

Nicklas Bendtner continues to be a big story in his native Denmark, despite repeated failures. Dropping down to the Championship with Nottingham Forest was supposed to be just what Bendtner needed, and the arrangement was made with optimism that all the pieces would come together.

It didn’t work out, partly down to an unfortunate injury, and Nottingham Forest recently cut their losses and released the striker from his contract. Gary Brazil couldn’t find an important role for Bendtner, and Nottingham Forest didn’t think the player would be needed by their next permanent manager, who turned out to be Mark Warburton.

Those decisions are puzzling for Rosenborg coach Kåre Ingebrigtsen, who can’t understand how Nottingham Forest couldn’t see Bendtner’s talent and use it. With the Danish striker now at Rosenborg, Ingebrigtsen has been able to see him in training and has been impressed.

Danish newspaper BT quote him as saying: “What surprises me is that the club that he comes from hasn’t used him. It’s surprising. For he is a very, very good player.”

Britt Assombalonga is Nottingham Forest’s top scorer this season with 9 goals, and behind him it’s Henri Lansbury and Apostolos Vellios on 6 each. On paper, perhaps Ingebrigtsen’s comments would make sense, Nottingham Forest could certainly do with a top striker, but then Bendtner continually fails to live up to expectations.

Rosenborg will hope it’s different with them.