Nottingham Forest fans shocked by what happened to Omar Richards in pre-season

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Published on:

18 Jul 2024, 1:30 am

Nottingham Forest fans were shocked as Omar Richards was left on the bench during the pre-season friendly clash with Chesterfield.

Forest ran out 3-0 victors from their opening pre-season fixture, but Richards was notably absent on the pitch despite heavy rotation.

Nuno Espirito Santo rotated his team at half-time to give each player an equal chance at getting minutes, while Lewis O'Brien came on with 15 minutes to go.

However, Richards was left on the bench, leaving fans to question the reason for his decision.

Pre-season has been touted as an opportunity for Nuno to get to know the players he has not previously worked with, including Richards who spent last season with Olympiacos.

Nottingham Forest fans shocked at what Nuno Espirito Santo did to Omar Richards

The defender has suffered from injury and fitness issues since suffering a leg break in 2022, and featured just 15 times for Olympiacos last season.

However, having returned to the club following his loan spell, Nuno's unwillingness to hand him minutes may be a display of where his future rests.

Supporters struggled to understand the decision, labelling it "strange" and "hard to fathom".

Last thing on #NFFC today - great to see Omar Richards taking a warm up and getting a good reception from the fans.

Feel for him though as the only outfield player who didn’t get on, even O’Brien as a spare man was given the last 15 mins or so for Bowler after his goal.
— WT Analysis (@wt_analysis) July 13, 2024

Very strange …hard to fathom..
— Gary Hayball (@gary_hayba59574) July 13, 2024

Interesting to see Omar Richards not used at all again 🤔
— Adam Brown (@AdamBro39945799) July 13, 2024

Omar Richards could be that guy but with all his injury issues.. I'm wondering if that ship has sailed. Didn't even get on v Chez
— Wiklo (@adamwiklo) July 16, 2024

Feel for Richards #nffc
— Jono Simms (@forest_jono) July 13, 2024

Many supporters still back Richards as one to break through and have expressed their confidence in his ability, with pre-season set to provide the chance.

I think O'brien is good enough technically his problem is he's Not big enough or strong enough unfortunately 🤷‍♂️

I honestly think Richards fully fit will turn out to be the best fullback we have 👌 There's a Reason Bayern Munich signed him 👊👊👊
— FOREST FANATIC (@Matthew86990849) July 17, 2024

Dennis and Richard’s deserve a chance Bowler and O’Brian just not good enough unfortunately #nffc
— ElAyPeo (@pearsanio) July 16, 2024

Love to see Richards as a backup to Aina
— Bailey🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇵🇹🇵🇾 (@Nffc_bailey) July 16, 2024

If moving towards mid table is the target then these guys just aren’t good enough, barring Omar Richards who has question marks over his durability to play a Prem season
— Superreds (@superreds1973) July 16, 2024

In other news, Forest fans are delighted at the latest City Ground development.

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Nottingham Forest

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