Cooper says Reds getting in shape for Premier tests
HERTHA BERLIN NEXT IN PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
We’re right on plan, in terms of where we want to be physically
Steve Cooper
HEAD coach Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest are “on track” for building up their fitness levels ready for the Premier League.
After a 23-year absence, the Reds have little more than two weeks to go before their top-flight return. And they are aware they will have to cope with a step up in intensity levels from the Championship.
Preparations started with a hard, week-long training camp in Spain, while Cooper’s side have played three friendlies so far – the most recent, a 0-0 draw at Barnsley on Saturday.
They have four more to go before their opening fixture away against Newcastle United on August 6, starting with a game against Hertha Berlin at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium tonight (7pm kickoff ).
“There’s no doubt that we’ve got to be ready for the intensity of the Premier League. We are only a few weeks in, so we’ve hit the boys hard, which was part of the plan,” Cooper said.
“We’re right on plan, in terms of where we want to be physically. What we are doing is committing to a really detailed pre-season plan, in what we feel will give us the best chance in being ready. That includes match minutes and loading, and it includes integrating new players into the team.
“We’re happy – we’re enjoying ourselves, but working hard. It’s an elite environment, a demanding one, and we’ve got to keep trying to move forward.
“We feel like we are making progress. We feel like we are making forward steps.
“Pre-season is a process. It’s a phase – you take it day by day.
“We’ve got the obvious process of integrating new players as well. Training and games are part of that process.
“We keep taking it day by day, taking each day as it comes, and looking to make good steps forward. Sometimes making steps forward is by some moments in games where we’ll probably fall short, in terms of technical and tactical levels, because that allows us to learn and to get better.”
Meanwhile, Forest would reportedly have to splash out more than £17m to sign Real Betis’ Alex Moreno.
The Reds have already been busy in the transfer market. However, leftback is an area which remains in need of strengthening ahead of the
Premier League campaign.
Early talks are said to have taken place over the 29-year-old, who can also operate on the left wing. ABC Sevilla, via Sport Witness, claims Betis are negotiating with Forest and want a fee in excess of 20m euros (about £17m). The report claims it is an “ongoing operation” and a deal “can be completed in these weeks”.
Steve Cooper’s side have less than three weeks to go before their topflight season begins. Seven signings have been made so far, with an eighth, Brandon Aguilera, heading straight back out on loan.
The Reds boss spoke at the weekend about wanting more arrivals in quickly. He said: “Of course we need more players to come in – there’s no doubt about that. That’s slowed down a little bit, and we’ve got to make sure that doesn’t stay like that for too long.”