Jesse Lingard’s start to his career at Nottingham Forest hasn’t been exactly stellar, but he has the chance to extend a stunning historic goalscoring record if he returns to haunt West Ham.
The 29-year-old joined the Tricky Trees on a one-year deal – snubbing a return to the Hammers – and made his Premier League debut against Newcastle United last weekend.
Forest were beaten 2-0 and Lingard’s stats weren’t good to read.
He had 24 assists, one key pass and was stripped three times in 90 minutes.
He was also booed by sections of the home crowd after Newcastle were briefly linked with him earlier this summer.
It is therefore not the departure he would have imagined, but Forest manager Steve Cooper is not worried and told the press: “He worked hard and gave his best.
“But, as a team, we didn’t get the ball to him or enough body around him. He showed glimpses of his ability. He will be important for us going forward, we just have to be better with it. the ball.
Jamie O’Hara also defended the former Manchester United star following criticism of his lukewarm debut, telling talkSPORT: “One thing about Jesse Lingard, which I like, is that he doesn’t hide.
“He will always try to receive the ball, even if it doesn’t really happen to him, he will always try to get into the areas and get the ball back.
“I think we have to get off his back. Give the guy a chance.
“I know he’s been there [Nottingham Forest] and he earns a few pounds and they put money into it. But give it a break.
Could a match against his former side West Ham revive his career at the City Ground?
Well, Lingard enjoyed a spectacular loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.
He directly contributed to 13 goals in just 16 games and helped the Irons qualify for the Europa League.
He was so good for the Hammers that Gareth Southgate recalled him to the England squad.
He didn’t make the cut for Euro 2020 but it still seemed inevitable that he would join West Ham permanently.
The transfer dragged on all summer and, in the end, he stayed at Manchester United, where he was little used.
As a result, he left Old Trafford freely and had a choice between West Ham or Forest, and opted for the latter – so expect him to receive a chilly reception from the traveling contingent on Sunday.
But, after a rocky start in a Forest shirt, Lingard may become the latest ex-Hammer to hold an astonishing record.
Seven former West Ham men scored their first Premier League goals for their new club against the Irons.
The last man to do so was Cheikou Kouyate, when he joined Crystal Palace.
Therefore, the stage is set for Lingard to open his account against the team that helped revive his career and keep this bizarre trend going.
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