Forest boss Cooper has top marks
In our latest GARIBALDI RED podcast, former Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton and Reds fan Mikey Clarke discuss the latest news at the City Ground with host Matt Davies.
■■Forest have 30 points from 15 games so it’s fair to say Steve Cooper is doing a great job?
DP: “He’s done fantastic. There’s a connection between the fans and the manager.
“Things started to drift under Chris (Hughton) even though he worked night and day to try and make it better. Steve’s provided the players with a way of playing that’s effective and easy on the eye.
“He’s done good, solid work. Every time he speaks the respect grows for him more and more. He’s very honest.
“Right now, things are all heading in the right direction and there are lots of smiles on faces at the City Ground.”
■■He must have enjoyed winning at his old club, even if he will never admit his desire to prove a point?
DP: “I touched base with Steve after he left Swansea. There seems to be a perception that what Russell Martin has done there is a total about turn.
“I see a lot of Championship football but I never watched Swansea and thought it was a tough watch. They had attacking wing-backs and could score goals. I never thought it was a negative way of playing.
“I spoke with Steve when he was between jobs. He should be proud of what he did there and I think he was a bit narked about the perception around the way the new manager had them playing.
“It seemed like him and Forest would fit and it’s fitting really well so far. I remember when we bumped into him in the car park at the City Ground when I came over (for the 100th episode of the podcast recording).
“He was saying how in his first home game when fans were singing pre-match, he said it stopped him in his tracks. He said to feel first hand what Nottingham Forest is took him back.
“I think he was been extremely genuine. He’s in the infancy of his tenure but it’s just about full marks so far.”
■■Was Saturday’s scoreline a fair one?
MC: “It was a deserved win in the end. The first 20 or 30 minutes was difficult but you know Swansea will have a lot of possession in front of your defence.
“They missed a couple of sitters, one in particular when their top scorer put it over the bar. In the second half we were fantastic.
“I always think it plays into our hands to score first. We have quick players and when teams chase the game we can break on them. That happened perfectly.
“When they pulled one back I was worried. You didn’t see that on the pitch. Six of the eight wins under Cooper have been by more than one goal.
“There’s no resting on laurels from this team. The performance was spot on in the second half. Tactically and the way we were clinical bodes well for the future. It’s an exciting time.”
■■How important is the January window when it comes to promotion?
MC: “If the January window is not busy and the basis of the team is still the same in February then I think fans will be happy. There will be nothing to stop us pushing.
“There is no-one outside the top two or three we should fear. You also have to consider what will happen in January to other teams. Not every team will strengthen.
“I think this is the most important window in a long time – maybe since we didn’t sign Nicky Shorey under Billy Davies.
“It’s crucial we keep the core of the team together. The top six can be a target.”