Moving on: Cooper’s not keen to talk about return
TRYING to keep track of the number of times Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper used the phrase “everybody has moved on” in his pre-match press conference proved a tricky business.
He gave the very distinct impression he wished his inquisitors would do the same; focus on a different topic.
In a longer than unusual briefing, the Welshman – understandably – fielded countless questions about going back to Swansea City for the first time since his departure in July.
That was the big talking point ahead of today’s Championship clash at the Liberty Stadium, when the Reds will look to make it eight games unbeaten.
But any thoughts of billing this one as an emotional return went straight out of the window. Cooper was having none of it.
Questions were fielded with a straight bat. And a good sense of humour.
“Let’s have a football question now, then,” he joked midway through being quizzed by BBC Wales. That came after he quipped he was hoping for a dodgy connection so their local reporter couldn’t get on to the Zoom call.
“A lot of people still wonder why you left the club when you did,” said the man from the Beeb.
“Yeah,” was the rather succinct response from the Reds head coach. Followed by a long pause.
There was going to be no delving into the past on this occasion. Cooper made it very clear his focus is now fully on Forest.
After a little more prompting, he did concede, rather cuttingly and with a wry smile: “It’s something that’s happened in the past now and everybody has moved on.
“I respect your job, there’s no midweek game, so there’s not loads for you to write about... but I’ve said what I’ve said about
Swansea, which will only ever, ever be positive. “Whatever happens in the future, I will always be grateful and be positive about everything there. But everybody has moved on. “Of course, we want to win on Saturday – just like they do for their reasons. But I only wish everybody well there.”
After three rounds of questions from different reporters, once it was my turn, Cooper laughed – or perhaps it was more of a plea: “No more Jeremy Kyle questions! Football questions now.” There had been a chuckle earlier, too, when it was mentioned Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard had adopted a similar tunnel vision approach ahead of taking on former club Liverpool this weekend. Chortling at any possible comparison being drawn, Cooper teased: “Steven Gerrard going back to Liverpool?”
No doubt much to his relief, it wasn’t all questions about how he will feel when the
Forest bus rolls up at Swansea.
Injuries, coronavirus restrictions, the City Ground redevelopment and trialist Loris Benito all came up – although talking transfers in December tends to go down about as well as discussing a return to his old stomping ground.
There was also the small matter of an FA Cup tie with Arsenal to get his thoughts on.
“I think we were last out of the hat as well! I was sat there with my son, waiting,” said Cooper.
“We’ve got games to play before it, of course. We more or less sell out the stadium anyway, but I’m sure it will be double full on that day.
“You always want to take an FA Cup tie as it comes, whether it’s a non-league team or a high-end Premier League team.
“Of course we will cross that bridge when we come to it, but I know it will be one everyone will be keeping in mind until it comes.
“We’re just focused on the Championship games between now and then.”
Not that he’ll need reminding, but the first one, of course, is Swansea away.