Nottingham Forest were smashed against Everton as the good work done so far by Sean Dyche came grinding to a halt.
Forest have a number of injuries to key players at the moment, and that showed as the Reds looked soft, lethargic and void of ideas against a Toffees team in fine form.
A damning statistic showcased just how much Forest are struggling after the Everton game and Dyche will be completely aware that there is some serious work to do.
There were a number of bad performers at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and for one player, it was a return to some poor performances earlier in the campaign.
Sean Dyche oversees a defeat to Everton
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Morgan Gibbs-White shows he’s trying too hard against Everton
Gibbs-White has come in for some criticism this season for his performances, particularly under Ange Postecoglou.
However, since Dyche came to the club, he’s largely played a lot better, with Gibbs-White nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Month for November after three goals.
Who was the most disappointing Nottingham Forest player vs Everton?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
On Saturday, he huffed and puffed to try to make things happen, but ultimately, he was wasteful in possession, with Sofa Score showcasing that he lost the ball 14 times.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Gibbs-White only received a 5.8 rating for the contest, with only Omari Hutchinson scoring a lower score at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
There’s a perception that Forest could do without Gibbs-White, but he hasn’t just become a bad player, despite his below-par performance on Merseyside.
The 25-year-old needs to realise he doesn’t have to do everything on his own and the challenge now is for him to go back to basics.
Gibbs-White might welcome midweek rest
Forest are nicely poised in the Europa League, but although they need to keep winning, the game with Tottenham on Sunday in the Premier League is arguably more important.
The Reds need Gibbs-White to be firing on all cylinders, and as a result, keeping him out of the team for Thursday’s game might be for the best.
Should Morgan Gibbs-White be rested vs FC Utrecht
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Gibbs-White has led by example in recent weeks, and the baffling notion that he doesn’t care is just completely wrong, with the vice-captain often trying to make things happen.
After trying way too hard against Everton, however, perhaps the time has come for Gibbs-White to sit out in midweek and allow him the best possible chance of a return to form on Sunday.