Steve Cooper
Q: Is it too early to call the Fulham game a must win? They have looked good this season while Forest have been mixed, taking just 4 points so far.
A: Friday night is an important game, for sure. But for me, think it’s still a little too early to have it as a must-win. Having said that, getting three points would definitely make a huge difference going into the international break. It’s incredible how that second half against Bournemouth completely changed the perception of the start to the season. Up until that point, think there was plenty to be encouraged by and positive about. I’d have said it was a decent start. No glossing over it was a poor 45 minutes, though. What really rankled was how Forest threw it away. Fulham isn’t going to be an easy game. Stopping Mitrovic is key, which is easier said than done. Forest have had plenty of time on the training ground, though, which should have helped. Cooper is still getting to know his squad – some had only just joined prior to the Bournemouth game. An extended period of working together should be of huge benefit – hopefully that will be the same with the international break, too. The manager’s still working out his best line-up, I think; trying to figure out the right combinations. Still plenty of areas for improvement, but Cooper and the players are well aware of that. They will be desperate to go into the break with a good result. Adapting to the Premier League was always going to be tough and would take time. Still believe Forest will be okay and will grow into the season. I’d say it’s important to put in a good performance, as much as anything on Friday. Don’t think it’s a must-win game, but depending on how Forest play, it might prompt a few concerns if they lost.
Q: From what you have seen behind the scenes etc, do you feel that the three interchanging forwards (BJ, JL, MGW) are SC preferred plan A? Lots of talk about horses for courses, but on evidence so far, despite having a number of merits that we may be yet to see, Taiwo A isn’t the battering ram our 21/22 system required, nor current “1-up” model would need (ie not easily fitting that tactical pigeonhole). Is there an inkling he’s a Catch-22 in that he requires game time but similarly hasn’t hit the ground running in terms of physical target man play? Feels much like West Ham, he needs another breakthrough goal and dominant showing. Also I’ll get in there first with the obvious Q – any news on Niakhate injury / Mangala readiness?
A: I’ve got a lot of sympathy with the manager when it comes to picking his team. Rather him than me, that’s for sure! He’s got a fair few attacking options, but the challenge is how to fit them in and find a way which plays to their strengths. I’m not so sure it’s as simple as having a preferred plan A. Cooper’s been asked about his team selection, and his attacking players in particular, a lot, and he’s talked about how he picks a team with winning a certain game in mind. He doesn’t tend to make too many changes week to week, but what he has stressed is the impact being able to make five subs has on his thinking. He’s almost having to think a step ahead in some cases, and consider how his side might look at the end of a game – what changes he’d make etc. On Awoniyi, agree that he seems to need a goal or a really good performance to give him a proper confidence boost. Still think he’s got it in him to be a key player, but we’ve not seen the best of him yet. Got to give him some benefit of the doubt for settling into a new league and country – he wouldn’t be the first, or the last, to take a bit of time to adapt. Personally, think Forest are better off having a focal point for the attack. Like the way MGW, Lingard and Johnson link up, but sometimes miss having a poacher in the box to finish chances off, hold up the ball or pull defenders about. Would like to see Surridge get more of a chance at some point. He’s such a good finisher. Cooper is still getting to know his players and figuring out the best combinations – that’s going to take time, although having a good spell on the training ground this week should have helped. Also think it’s about playing more to Awoniyi’s strengths when he does play, not sure that’s happened to a great extent yet. On Niakhate and Mangala… hoping to get an update when we speak to the manager, although he often doesn’t give too much away (for understandable reasons) on that front! Great to see Mangala back in training, though. He was making good progress last time we checked, so that’s another big step forward. Would hope he might be involved to some degree on Friday, although not sure I’d risk him from the start. Got to be careful with both him and Niakhate, with it being hamstring injuries.
Q: Based on Williams and Lodi being used to traditional full-back roles do you think we are best utilising four at the back in a 433, 4232, 4321 formation? I feel in the wing-back system the three CBs are getting too exposed at the mo leaving when the wing-backs are caught up field.
A: I’d be a bit surprised if Cooper switched to a four on Friday. Three-man defence tends to be his preferred option, although he hasn’t been afraid to change it. For me, Forest have generally looked better when they’ve played with three rather than four at the back. Definitely need to find a way of tightening up, though. I’d say there’s an argument for going more with a 3-5-2, bolstering the midfield to give more protection to the back line. But if you do that, it means tweaking the attack – and who do you leave out in that instance? Not easy to call. Been a lot of focus on the defence after what happened against Bournemouth, but it’s got to be a team effort. Need the attacking players to track back and help out too. Lingard was guilty of sloppy play in the build-up to one of Bournemouth’s goals. If there’s one thing which has been clear in the first few Premier League games it’s that you can’t have those kinds of lapses. It’s a brutal division. Suspect we’ll see some changes to the XI on Friday. But I doubt it will be wholesale ones – ripping up the team completely could do more harm than good. Saw last year the benefit of consistency and working hard together as a unit, that’s something Forest need to get back to. Still early days though.
Q: All I’m bothered about (and I’m sure many others are too) is whether and when SC is going to sign a new contract. If/when he does, the rest will fall into place; everyone, fans and players alike, will then be more settled. Why doesn’t he just get on with it, or is there more to it than meets the eye? Are the owners and he keeping their options open to see how things go?
A:Cooper has been asked about this many times, and no doubt he will be again when he does his press conference, after the speculation about Bournemouth. He’s always said his focus is very much on the team at the minute, and transfers when the window was still open. Can’t deny he’s got a lot on his plate! He’s always given the impression that he’s very happy at the City Ground. General feeling seems to be that he and the club are relaxed about the situation – although admittedly that was before Bournemouth rumours surfaced. Would like to think talk of another club having even half an eye on Cooper might be the kick Forest need to ensure it gets sorted. Don’t think there’s any need to worry just yet, but obviously the longer it goes on – and with Cooper’s one-year anniversary coming up – a bit of concern might creep in.
