Why Cook will always be seen as a legend at Bournemouth
NOTTINGHAM Forest second signing of the January transfer window, Steve Cook, has excited Reds fans, given the legendary status he enjoys with his former club Bournemouth.
The 30-year-old defender has made the move to the City Ground on a free transfer from the Cherries and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, bringing to an end a decade-long association with the Cherries.
He began with them in League One in 2011-12, two seasons after they had begun their climb from the bottom of League
Two under manager Eddie Howe.
Since then, Cook was part of two promotions and had racked up close to 400 appearances on the south coast.
We got the lowdown from Dorset Live Bournemouth reporter Jacob Tanswell on what the Reds can expect as the centre-back heads Trentside...
Sounds like Steve Cook has “legend” status at Bournemouth. How would you sum up his time there?
It was on October 27, 2011 that Cook first joined the club on an initial loan deal and around this time 10 years ago he signed permanently. Since then he has become, unquestionably, one of Bournemouth’s most iconic figures.
He has been a constant from the lower League One days to their peak
Premier League times.
His connection with the fans – he would make regular contributions to charities and, during lockdown, regular phone calls – is probably unparalleled.
It may sound over the top, but he is immortalised into legend in Dorset. It was a fairytale journey.
What kind of defender is he? What are his strengths and weaknesses? What can Forest expect from him?
Again it depends on the manager, but he’s pretty well-versed in all areas. Under Eddie Howe, Cook was a ball-playing left-sided central defender, tasked with building the play through the thirds. However, his foremost job is to defend and, as seen recently against Fulham, he loves it. Under Jason Tindall and Jonathan Woodgate, his game became more pragmatic but it’s largely down to what they asked of him.
In terms of weaknesses, Cook, like most central defenders, can look vulnerable one-v-one against highly technical players and if shown on to his left side, can be pressured effectively.
But overall, Forest fans should expect unerring consistency and quiet but significant, leadership – he wasn’t the most pronounced of captains but, when he offered advice, the younger players would tend to listen.
Steve Cooper is very keen on fielding a back three, with defenders being comfortable on the ball and able to play out from the back. Would Cook fit into that?
Howe would flit in and out of a back three, while Tindall used it throughout the season.
Cook mostly played in the middle of the back three and, when he’s fully confident, has an excellent crossfield pass, from the right to the left.
If there is space in front of him he will drive into it and, unsurprisingly after eight years under Howe, is never afraid to receive the ball in nervy areas.
What will he be like in the dressing room? He’s got plenty of experience, so is he a natural leader?
As I touched on earlier, Cook’s leadership traits are slightly more nuanced.
While the 30-year-old is unafraid of speaking out when the situation necessitates, he often prefers a more subtle approach.
Particularly in the Premier League, where the spotlight on some was magnified, Cook would offer players regular guidance on the dos and don’ts away from the pitch.
This would include reminding some of their levels of professionalism, advising younger team-mates on side-stepping issues that will inevitably rear their head and, quite simply, proving a sounding board to some.
He hasn’t played much this sea
He has been a constant from their lower League One days to their peak Premier League times. Jacob Tanswell
son, was there anything behind that – and can you see him being able to play a big part for Forest in the second half of this season?
I think the writing was on the wall before Scott Parker joined.
Cook was one of the higher earners at the club and Bournemouth were looking for ways to trim the wage budget.
With the emergence of Lloyd Kelly, they took the school of thought that Cook wasn’t quite as needed as years gone by.
(Bournemouth are also being strongly linked with a £1m move for Fleetwood Town’s highly-rated centre-back James Hill).
There were chances to leave in the summer but none which appealed to Cook or his family.
The relationship between Parker and him has remained respectful and, by the sounds of things, his professionalism has been faultless.
Forest look resurgent under Steve Cooper, and particularly in these decisive months, having an experienced player like Cook should undoubtedly help.
You only have to look to when he came in from the cold last month for three matches, most notably against then-league leaders Fulham.
Bournemouth were hamstrung by injuries and Cook almost led them to victory. He was probably their best player on the pitch that night.