Karanka unsure about Tomlin’s long-term future
Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka said he was unsure about Lee Tomlin’s future after the playmaker scored twice in a 5-2 win at QPR.
Tomlin, who previously played under Karanka at Middlesbrough, has now scored three times since arriving on loan from Cardiff last month.
Asked if there was any prospect of a permanent move this summer, Karanka said: “I don’t know yet. It’s a player I like but we just need to keep going, keep thinking about our task. He is a Cardiff player and we will see.”
The Spaniard added: “When you know the manager and you know the style everything is easier.
“I’m really pleased because he’s a player who sometimes creates doubts about him but with me he’s playing really well. We need to give him time, but I know him.”
After Tomlin’s brace, Joe Lolley made it 3-0 before Massimo Luongo pulled a goal back and Matty Cash restored Forest’s two-goal advantage.
Matt Smith reduced the deficit before Ben Brereton scored an injury-time fifth for Karanka’s side.
The clinical display emphatically ended Forest’s goal drought – they had failed to score in eight of their previous 10 league matches.
Karanka insisted: “I wasn’t concerned. One day it will arrive – and today has been the best example.
“The team has been aggressive on the pitch and, when we have chances, some days we will miss but some days we will score.
“I told the players before the game that today should be a reflection of the improvement of the team.
“There has been an improvement and today there was the perfect mixture; we were organised on the pitch, aggressive and confident. It’s the way that we have to keep playing.”
