Scout Report: Forest's Matty Cash shows maturity beyond his years in defence

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star.

This week they give Sportsmail the low down on Nottingham Forest right back Matty Cash, who is valued at £1million at the age of 22.

Here is why the youngster, who has played an instrumental role for Forest during their recent upturn in form, has caught the eye...

WHAT'S HE GOT?

Watching this 6ft defender recently, I wondered what prompted Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi to convert him from an energetic midfielder to a comfortable right back with a lot of responsibility within the team.

From the start of the game, Matty Cash was positioning himself to cover others. He kept a sensible distance from his centre back but also got out quickly to challenge his opposing winger when threatened by a cross-field pass.

An opposition centre back played five such diagonals as the game wore on and Cash dealt with them all very well. Never caught on the inside, he was able to read the intention and race off to cover and confront it.

Later, when the wide man he was up against was subbed, Cash faced a more mazy dribbler and fared well, avoiding rash challenges and keeping his eye on the ball, holding his ground carefully and not committing.

In possession he kept it simple, not raiding recklessly as he was aware - given his team were away from home - how important it was to protect against the counter-attack. I liked how he waited to make sure his team had clear possession before making his move into midfield.

He showed fair pace and used the ball well, not trying anything intricate and linking with other players in his area of the pitch. He was sharp up and down the flank, using the energy he showed as a midfielder under the previous stewardship of Mark Warburton. He has been a vital cog in Forest's recent upturn in form, which has seen them rise to fifth in the Championship table.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

He does not look too physically strong but he has time on his side. His value could well increase as he gains more experience in this relatively new position. His tackling was clean, he intercepts well and he shows pace in recovery which is vital. It looks to me as though he has now nailed down a regular place at full back.