Glue are ya?

MANGALA HOPES ‘PATTEX’ NICKNAME WILL STICK AT FOREST

OREL MANGALA’S proud nickname is ‘Pattex’ – which will mean nothing to Nottingham Forest fans.

But when they learn it is a brand of German superglue, the reason it stuck to the 24-yearold midfielder will be clearer.

Quizzed about the moniker, the ex-Stuttgart and Hamburg midfielder said: “Yes, that’s right, that’s what I was called. I don’t know who gave it to me, probably the Stuttgart fans.

“I’ve had it for two or three years – it’s part of me and my game. And I think it’s accurate, I try to lose the ball as few times as possible. So if Forest’s fans want to call me it, I’ve got no problem with that.”

Mangala was part of the huge overhaul of players at the City Ground following promotion last summer, arriving in the east Midlands after a £12.5million move from the Bundesliga.

So far his career here has stalled due to a hamstring injury. But he is slowly working himself into boss Steve Cooper’s plans, as Forest’s season begins to gain momentum.

Four points from games against Brighton and Liverpool have breathed fresh life into the club’s campaign.

Mangala reported that while the huge churn of players was unusual, the squad was now getting to grips with it.

He said: “It’s not been difficult to settle here.

“The staff and team-mates have all approached me to help. But it was unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it before. But I don’t think it’s a problem.

“We’re becoming more like a team. We try to know and understand each other every day. I think we’re in a good place.

“And you can see it in the results and on the pitch, we are more compact on the field. It’s getting better by the week.

“Everyone knows that Forest isn’t an easy game for them – that’s the important thing.”

Mangala, 24, has five seasons of experience in the German top flight and was recently called into Roberto Martinez’s Belgium squad. Obviously the player has one eye on the World Cup, so needs to cement a role

in Cooper’s line-up to boost his Qatar chances. Mangala said: “It’s everyone’s dream to play in the World Cup – I’ll try to show myself in the next couple of games and, hopefully, I will be a surprise.

“I haven’t spoken to Roberto Martinez, but I know that they have been in contact with the staff here. They always give good feedback. In his mind, I think I’m one of the candidates.

“But there are many great players in the squad. We know we have the quality to achieve something.”

Cooper hopes the problems that blighted Mangala’s start are over. The Forest boss said: “We’re looking forward to seeing the best of Orel. He’s a good guy – and a good player.”