BRENNAN’S A PRIZE ASSET
NOTTINGHAM FOREST hope to keep new young star Brennan Johnson but want €18m if they are forced to sell.
Brentford failed with three bids for Johnson (20) in August and Leicester and Leeds are also keeping tabs.
Johnson was at the centre of another exciting Forest performance, scoring the first after a terrific move, and manager Steve Cooper is hugely impressed.
“Johnson is exciting isn’t he?” purred
Cooper who is unbeaten in his first four Forest games.
Pushing
“He got in twice early in the second half, maybe could have done better, but that’s me pushing him. Johnson is an important player.
“We need to look after him, support him, and keep his development going.”
Johnson, son of former Forest striker David Johnson, has two goals in three games from his midfield position.
He was on loan at Lincoln last season and in the team beaten by Blackpool in the League One playoff final.
Blackpool equalised through Jerry Yates and Lewis Grabban, with his fifth goal in seven, scored the winner.
Cooper has quickly turned Forest into a counter- attacking side.
Forest midfielder Jack Colback said: “Chris Hughton achieved a lot in the game and you don’t do that from being a bad manager.
“But the new gaffer has a different way of playing that is more suited to us.
“Brennan Johnson has been top drawer. He has gone out on loan and come back like a man.”
Blackpool manager Neil Critchley said ahead of Wednesday’s game at Reading: “I’ve told the players they can’t dwell on this defeat.”
SUBSTITUTES
Cleverley 5 (for Masina, 46); Ngaka 5 (for Femenia, 55); Pedro 5 (for Dennis, 70). Not Used: Bachmann, Louza, Sema, Gosling, Tufan, Fletcher.
SUBSTITUTES
Oxlade- Chamberlain 7 (for Alexander-Arnold, 64); Tsimikas 6 (for Robertson, 64); Williams (for Milner, 83). Not Used: Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Minamino, Jota, Origi.
WATFORD
MO SALAH
LIVERPOOL
ADAM MASINA