In Focus: In-demand Johnson has the bite Forest need to see off Terriers

Brennan Johnson is enjoying a brilliant season — and Nottingham Forest will hope his fine form can fire them into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Welsh international’s stock has rocketed this term, to the point that top-flight Brentford came close to signing him in January.

But why exactly is Johnson attracting Premier League attention? And what makes him so important to Forest's cause?

As Steve Cooper’s side host Huddersfield in tonight’s fifth-round clash, we focus on the man of the moment at the City Ground.

Championship success

Having lit up League One on loan at Lincoln in 2020-21, Johnson appeared primed to take on the Championship — and he has certainly risen to the challenge.

A product of Forest’s academy, the Nottingham native has been directly involved in almost a third of his team’s league goals this season — as well as getting on the scoresheet in a 4-1 win over Leicester in their previous FA Cup fixture.

It has been a campaign to remember for the 20-year-old, who made his first Wales start in September and won that month’s EFL Young Player of the Month award.

Scoring for fun

With six goals since the turn of the year, Johnson has taken his tally for the season to 11 in all competitions.

Two of his strikes have come against arch-rivals Derby — a late equaliser away from home and what proved to be the winner in January’s 2-1 victory at the City Ground.

Crucially, Forest have won nine of the 11 games in which Johnson has found the net, drawing the other two.

Turning provider

In addition to his scoring exploits, Johnson has also set up five goals — making him Forest’s joint-leading provider in the Championship.

While he has most commonly operated from the right, the seven-cap international’s adaptability enables him to play on either flank, as a second striker, or in a No10 role.

And having a consistently dangerous creative threat with such versatility has proved invaluable for Forest, who continue to perform well in both the league and the cup.

Moving on up?

Brentford are said to have been chasing Johnson since last summer — and the Premier League newcomers reportedly offered Forest what would have been a club-record fee in January.

The fact they rejected a bid of around £15million from the Bees tells you all you need to know about how highly regarded their attacking starlet is.

And Brentford are bound to face competition if they try again in the summer. Leeds, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been linked with one of the Football League's most prodigious prospects.

Focused on the task at hand

Johnson does not seem to have been affected by all the transfer speculation — and manager Cooper recently praised his commitment and drive.

Speaking last month, he said: "The fact he [Johnson] is arousing interest is good, but I was not worried that he would leave because he is a boy who has grown up here.

"He is very proud to play for his team, he only thinks about how to improve."

It can only be a matter of time before Johnson does leave the City Ground. But he might be able to delay that departure for at least another few months, if he helps Forest return to the Premier League’s promised land after 23 years away.