Nottingham Forest fans blast Yohan Benalouane after Sheffield Wednesday defeat

Nottingham Forest suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night as their thin hopes of a Championship play-off place all but ended – and fans have hammered Yohan Benalouane on Twitter.

Benalouane, 32, had instantly become a favourite among Forest fans when joining the club from Leicester City in January. He only played 29 times for Leicester after joining in August 2015 for £5.6million (TalkSPORT).

Signing an 18-month permanent deal, Martin O’Neill has thrown him into the Forest side. He began well, and even scored the winner against bitter rivals Derby County in a 1-0 win – despite breaking a bone in his skull.

But the tide is starting to turn. Benalouane was made to look foolish by Steve Bruce’s Wednesday, as the Owls continued their surge towards the play-offs with three second-half goals.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Marco Matias scored a wonderful first that caught goalkeeper Luke Steele by surprise, before George Boyd made it two with a thunderous strike from the left. Matias doubled his tally and made it three in the 67th minute.

Benalouane gave Matias too much space before his tackle bounced off the Owls attacker, allowing him to bundle the ball home for a third Wednesday goal.

Nottingham Forest fans took to Twitter to criticise Tunisia international Benalouane for his display, with many starting to see perhaps why he was on the sidelines at Leicester.

Benalouane has been dreadful #nffc

— Herbert Von Brexit (@NFFC_Stig) April 9, 2019

We didn’t deserve to lose that 3-0. Stats wise very even and we were the much better side first half. Can’t blame the worldie from Boyd and Benalouane’s awful defending for the third on O’Neill. We should of put our chances away, that’s down to the players. #NFFC

— James Keane (@jadk0) April 9, 2019

Is Benalouane really better than Danny Fox?#nffc

— Paddy Reston (@PaddyReston) April 9, 2019

Benalouane is not good alongside Wague. He’s far better with Milosovic at the side of him.

— Paul Elliott (@Puds1970) April 9, 2019

Benalouane makes me wince with his challenges. #nffc

— Hannah Forest ?⚪️⚽️ (@hannahforest) April 9, 2019

Benalouane is a liability #nffc

— Liam Statham (@Liamstatham) April 9, 2019