Latest Nottingham Forest news as head coach Steve Cooper reflects on Reds’ summer transfer window business.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner knows he faces a fight for his Nottingham Forest shirt after the deadline day arrival of Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Steve Cooper says it isn’t a case of having a set No.1 and a No.2 when it comes to choosing who starts games. The level of competition among his keepers epitomises the strength in depth the Reds now have throughout the squad.
Turner has made a solid start to his Forest career, having made the move from Arsenal earlier in the summer. But Vlachodimos is a Greece international and will push him hard for a place in the side, while Wayne Hennessey is fit again after recovering from a knee injury. With Turner and Vlachodimos having come in, it meant there was no place for Ethan Horvath when the club named their 25-man squad earlier this week.
“There’s great competition,” Cooper said ahead of Monday night’s clash with Burnley. “It’s a really competitive area of the pitch now.
“We’ve got the competition we want in every area, really. It’s always a specific question where goalkeepers are concerned, but you can look at players in every position and see how there is the same competition.
“It’s really healthy. Danny Alcock, the goalkeeping coach, has got his group in a place where they have really got to push now. We’re really pleased with everyone.
“Wayne is back training with us and fit. He has a big influence on the group because of his age and his level of experience. We will try to utilise that.
“Hopefully the guy who plays is in a place where he knows he has to play well. That’s what you want.
“I don’t think it’s as simple as having a No.1. Matt’s wife has just had a baby girl, which is brilliant news for him – as did Cheikhou (Kouyate) a few days before.
“It’s the same for every position. It’s competitive and players are really vying for the shirt.”
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