James McAtee already in last-chance saloon ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce
Vitor Pereira may have already made up his mind on his favourite players at Nottingham Forest, and that could spell bad news for James McAtee.
The 23-year-old has struggled for valuable minutes since his permanent move from Man City during the summer, racking up just 171 minutes of Premier League football at the City Ground.
Most of his chances have actually come in the Europa League, starting five of his six appearances, even scoring in the last round against Ferencvaros, but he has not shone under the new manager.
Since Pereira replaced Sean Dyche, McAtee has played just eight minutes, but the new boss has the license to bench some of his bigger names on Thursday, 26 February.
James McAtee is already running out of chances at Nottingham Forest
Forest secured an impressive 4-0 win against Fenerbahce in the round of 32 first leg, and with Premier League survival far more important, playing a much-changed starting lineup.
That should see the likes of Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare, and, possibly even, Morgan Gibbs-White all benched at the City Ground, and McAtee come straight into the team.
It would be the perfect chance for the former Man City gem to impress the manager and make him realise his talents with the ball at his feet, but that is not guaranteed.
Given the situation that Forest are in right now, Pereira is unlikely to turn to the 23-year-old midfielder, even in Europe, with momentum such an important thing in the world of football.
Fenerbache could already be make-or-break for summer signing
The attacking midfielder will have hoped that moving to the City Ground would be the perfect opportunity for him to develop into the player that all fans at the Etihad knew he could be.
Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola never felt like he could give the youngster enough game time, with so many other superstars in the squad, and the Tricky Trees are in a totally different situation.
Pereira has been drafted in to save Forest from relegation. While a run in Europe would be loved, the sole focus should be on the domestic situation, which could work in McAtee’s favour.
Many will be expecting him to start against Fenerbahce, and if he does, he has to take the chance with both hands. If he isn’t trusted, his summer exit could already be on the cards.