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One to Watch – Nathan Tyson

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Nottingham Forest forward Nathan Tyson has been singled out by Vital QPR as the One to Watch ahead of this weekend`s clash at the City Ground.

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The Reading born forward began life at his home town club where he was mainly deployed as a left winger. He made his debut in an away draw against Bury, replacing striker Darius Henderson with ten minutes remaining.

He was sent out on loan initially to local side Maidenhead United where he bagged three goals in eight games before getting his chance in the Football League with Swansea City.

In eleven appearances and limited goalscoring opportunity he only mustered a solitary goal, the second in the Swans 2-0 home win over Darlington at the Vetch Field in 2001. He was also given his marching orders for the Welsh outfit as both he and Kidderminster goalkeeper Stuart Brock were sent off with two minutes remaining – Tyson had been on the field only two minutes.

He had his revenge against Kidderminster however scoring the winning goal for Cheltenham Town in his new loan spell with the Robins. It was his only goal in eight games with the Division Three outfit.

Tyson at last opened his account for his hometown side in the 2002/03 Division One campaign. The young forward scored the first goal against Derby County after five minutes – Reading went on to win the game 2-1.

However two sendings off curtailed his season – given his marching orders in an away win against Bradford City while also letting his frustrations get the better of him as Wolves took first blood in the playoff semi-final at the expense of the Royals.

After another fruitless spell with the Royals at the beginning of the 2003/04 campaign, Tyson was sent out on loan to Division Two side Wycombe Wanderers, and it was here that his career began to flourish.

He opened his account with the Chairboys in a 2-2 draw away at Chesterfield, while also scoring in games against Brighton, Harlepool and Notts County before facing QPR at Adams Park.

A fixture which conjures up images of a flurry of red cards – Tyson was unbelievably let off with a yellow card when he clashed with Clarke Carlisle and lived up to his name appearing to strike the Rangers defender. Whatever Martin Atkinson saw he got the decision completely wrong – it was either nothing or red.

A further five goals that season took his tally to nine since joining Wycombe in January and manager Tony Adams was suitably impressed to sign the Reading striker permanently in a deal reported to be in the region of £100k. As a consequence some of Wycombe`s youth prospects transferred to Reading.

It proved to be money well spent as the 6″ forward bagged a brace on his debut against Cheltenham Town. Hatricks against Lincoln and by now his favourite club, Kiddeminster helped him to a hefty total of 22 league goals and was subsequently voted Fans Player of the Year.

He started off the following season like a house on fire scoring 13 goals in the opening 19 games – which included one Wycombe`s three goals against Aston Villa. The only problem was the defenders behind him managed to concede eight.

The striker was attracting several admirers with Sheffield Wednesday and newly relegated Nottingham Forest making a move for the highly-rated forward, it was Forest that took him on loan initially in November before making the £675k deal permanent in the January transfer window.

He scored his first goal for Forest in a 1-0 win over Port Vale and went on to score a further nine goals for the Tricky Trees, with the fiery forward picking up another red card to add to what was a growing career tally.

The 2006/07 season started in disastrous fashion as the forward was carried off with a knee injury that would keep him out for three months. Returning ahead of schedule he went on to score an eight minute hatrick away at Crewe in a 4-1 win. Nine goals and another red card came that season despite having his time curtailed with injury.

A succession of injuries scuppered his side`s progress in League One, with his hamstrings seemingly unable to cope with the strain of a promotion push. Nevertheless he still mustered 12 goals in an interrupted season to help Nottingham Forest to one of the surprise promotions of the season – claiming the place from Doncaster Rovers on the final day with a 3-2 win over Yeovil Town.

Tyson deliberated over a new two-year contract deal as Bristol City came calling for the striker – a bid which was subsequently rejected by the Tricky Trees. A pre-season hamstring injured put pay to his preparations but he marked his return with a goal – the winner against Watford.

So far this season Tyson has scored six goals, and while the tally doesn`t seem incredible to the untrained eye, Tyson is a player who makes things happen for other forwards with Forest benefiting from his excellent movement and skill.

He scored a penalty against local rivals Derby County in an FA Cup Fourth Round replay, only for Nigel Clough`s men to turn the game on it`s head by winning 3-2 at the City Ground.

As mentioned, Tyson has scored six goals in 30 appearances for the Tricky Trees this campaign, and while that doesn`t sound incredibly impressive he should be ignored at the defenders peril.

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