Steve Cooper announcement that he is leaving forest now another significant issue for club…..
Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest need more new signings if they are to continue to “grow and improve” in the Premier League.
Forest kicked off their second season in the top flight with a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal that did deliver some reason for optimism, in comparison to the 5-0 defeat they suffered at the Emirates last time they visited.
New signing Anthony Elanga delivered an explosive assist for Taiwo Awoniyi, offering an early hint of what he brings following his £15million arrival from Manchester United.
Fellow new arrivals — goalkeeper Matt Turner and wing-back Ola Aina — also impressed but head coach Cooper hopes to see more business done, as a matter of urgency.
“If we can bring some players in, we are desperate to improve the squad,” said Cooper. “Matt and Anthony are in, but that is only really replacing Renan Lodi and the keepers from last season.
“We know that, if we want to grow and improve in this league, we need to bring some players in. I really hope the club can do that now, because it does not get any tougher than this league.
“We managed to survive last season by doing things in a certain way, but we need to evolve that. To do that, we need to add to the starting XI and to the squad.
“Fingers crossed that this can kick in; that it can happen, because we need it.”
Forest are working to bring Dean Henderson back to the club on loan from Manchester United, in a deal that would likely include an obligation or option to buy. They also have a long-standing interest in PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.
“It was so tough last year and we learned very quickly that you have to be at a certain level, to be able to complete,” added Cooper. “We have to have the ambition to improve the team. My mentality is always to improve. There was no jubilation at the end of last season. My biggest feeling was ‘we have work to do’.
“There are areas of our game we would like to improve and, to do that, you want certain profiles (of player). I will roll my sleeves up and get on with it, because that is what I have always done. My mantra is always to get the best out of the players you work with to expect them to get the best out of themselves.
“Everyone knows how important this club is (to me) but we have to keep the positivity of the last two years going.
