Nottingham Forest are counting down the days to their return to Premier League action.
The Reds have less than a week to go before the international break ends and they are back out on the pitch, with a trip to face Leicester City on the horizon next Monday night. By then, Steve Cooper’s side will have had a fortnight to chew over a run of four successive defeats.
With a key clash against the Foxes coming up, it meant there was plenty to talk about in our Forest webchat. Reds reporter Sarah Clapson answered questions and responded to comments in a live Q&A. Here’s how it panned out.
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Q: Great to be getting back to Premier league football and hopefully some much needed victories for the Reds. Five months, going into six months in November, still no news about the club’s progress regarding a shirt sponsor. Little movement by the club with the online shop regarding merchandise since the new kit was released, regarding the availability for Reds fans living out of Nottingham of any home replica shirts and now a lack of away shirts and no stock of the third kit. The home shirt issue has been a major one since the new strip was released on day one. With Christmas around the corner do you not think that instead of Premier League, with a lack of sponsor and merchandise we are beginning to look like Fred Carno's circus?
A: Indeed, this international break seems to have been dragging! Re the lack of sponsor, that was always going to be the gamble when holding out for the best possible deal - that it could then have the opposite effect.
Can completely understand the club wanting to get as much as they could following promotion. Going up to the PL opened a whole load of new doors.
But it's a fine tightrope to walk. Hold out for too long and you risk being in the situation Forest are in now. I've not heard any update on whether it's close to being sorted, but you'd hope it would be soon.
Think everything tends to be seen in a more negative light when results aren't going the right way. Go on a bad run and it seems to make outside issues seem worse too.
Re lack of stock, had heard anecdotally that other clubs have been struggling with that, too. Not ideal, particularly, as you mentioned, with Christmas coming up. Hopefully that improves. As an aside, really like this season's kits. Do miss the hi-vis one, though.
Q: What do you reckon are the minimum amount of points Cooper has to get in the next month to avoid the sack? Leicester, Villa, Wolves, Brighton, Liverpool, Arsenal. Some winnable ties but all loseable too.
Q: I would say, do not think there isn't a minimum amount of points required. Watford's owner has proved that by sacking their manager with the club sitting just outside the playoff places by one point. We all know that EM is quick to change things if it is not working, I for one think SC needs a fighting chance to turn things in our favour after 150 million spent on players, though how long that chance will last remains to be seen though.
A: I don't think it's as simple as having a minimum points tally to aim for. Think it's also about performances and showing signs of progress, that this group is starting to gel.
First up, Forest have to stop the rot. They have to end that losing streak. The second halves against Bournemouth and Fulham were worrying, but there have been some positive signs in the first seven games. It's just that the team hasn't clicked yet.
It's been tough for Cooper, with the amount of new signings and some of them arriving late in the window. Any manager would find it difficult in those circumstances, let alone one who is also new to the Premier League.
This next run of fixtures up until the World Cup break is going to be key. Still convinced Forest will get better as the season wears on, but they don't want to be left too far adrift before that happens. Got to try to keep the points ticking over while the team finds its feet.
There are some really tough games coming up. The trip to Leicester has got to be seen as a chance to get back to winning ways, then important to get a good result against Villa at the City Ground. Start with those two, then take it from there. Everything looks harder on the back of a run of defeats, though. Key is to make sure that what happened against Bournemouth and Fulham doesn't hamper the players mentally; can't afford to be looking nervy if/when they next take the lead.
On Cooper, I really hope there's some understanding and patience around the challenges he's facing. He's a good manager who deserves to be backed during a sticky patch.
Q: The drip feed of possible injuries before the Monday night clash is worrying. Have to think that getting and keeping key players match fit crucial for rebounding before the World Cup break and then the chance to tweak the squad in January. If not, would think Cooper's job in some doubt.
A: It does seem to have been a particularly unlucky international break in terms of injuries. Hopefully players have been withdrawn out of precaution, rather than anything serious. Will get an update on the situation when we speak to the manager later this week.
Still a week to go before the next match, so got to hope there is time for at least some of those who are doubtful to get the necessary rest and recovery needed to be available. Was a positive sign that Niakhate at least travelled to meet up with the Senegal squad and was on the bench. I would have been a bit surprised if he'd featured, but still shows good progress made.
Also been great to see Omar Richards back in training, so it's not been all bad news. Gibbs-White is a bit of a worry, for me. Would be a blow if he's out for any period of time as has looked bright.
If McKenna is a doubt, I wouldn't be surprised if that leads to a back four against Leicester - although I'd probably go with that regardless. Injuries never ideal, but Cooper's 'next man up' mentality was such a key feature of last season, and he's never one to make excuses.
Q: Rob Edwards being sacked after 11 games and Carlos Corberan already gone from Olympiacos after six weeks a disturbing precedent.
A: Managers seem to get so little time nowadays. Stability is the exception rather than the rule.
There's so much riding on results; teams are desperate for success - whether that is seen as survival, promotion, silverware etc. Patience can certainly be hard to come by.
Personally, I'd stick with Cooper however this season pans out. Think he's the best man to continue to build on what he's started. And I still believe he's a very good manager, who can turn things around.
What have you made of Forest's start to the season? Have your say in the comments below
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