Commons Could Be The Key!

Colin Calderwood today labelled Kris Commons his 'match-winner' - but insists the midfielder can get even better.

Commons has scored 12 times this season, despite two extended periods on the sidelines through injury.

He has netted five times in his last three appearances, but Calderwood believes he can still better his goal-scoring record as the Reds prepare for tomorrow's crunch match with Crewe at the City Ground.

Victory for Forest and a defeat or draw for Bristol City would see the Reds clinch automatic promotion to the Championship.

Calderwood said: 'There is more to come from Kris. He can be more clinical rather than always trying to score spectacular goals. The clinical goals or the calm finishes, I think there is a lot more to come from him in terms of that.

'It would be nice to see him score a couple at the back stick.

'He's missed a couple.

You couldn't say he's not scoring enough. But there are three more goals in him, side-foot finishes, which would take him to around the 15 mark.'

Commons has hit top form in recent weeks after overcoming ankle and hamstring injuries.

His doubles against Brentford and Bournemouth, as well as another goal against Leyton Orient, ensured Forest took the challenge for automatic promotion to the final game of the season.

And after seeing the Reds' League One title challenge slip away after Christmas, Calderwood admits things would have been different had the 23-year-old been available throughout.

'I've got no doubt that he would have created and scored through that period when we started to be inconsistent,' he said. 'He definitely would have made us better. Even if it was just one result, that might have made the difference.

'He's a highly-talented player who makes the difference in games. He is a match-winner and a creator for someone else to be a match-winner. You need at least one of them in the team.'

Source: Nottingham Evening Post

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