Here are your Nottingham Forest headlines on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Friendly announced
Nottingham Forest have announced their first pre-season friendly of this summer’s schedule.
The Reds will take on neighbours Notts County as part of their preparations for next term’s Premier League campaign. The match will take place at Meadow Lane on Saturday, July 15, with a 1pm kick-off.
It is the first fixture to be placed in Forest’s calendar ahead of the 2023/24 term. And the club say ticket details, along with details of their full pre-season schedule, will be confirmed in due course.
It comes after Steve Cooper ’s side wrapped up the 2022/23 campaign with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Top-flight survival had already been confirmed, thanks to victory over Arsenal a week earlier, and the Reds finished in 16th place in the table.
Shearer warning
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer heaped praise on Steve Cooper on Match of the Day as it was a case of "mission accomplished" for Nottingham Forest.
The Reds finished 16th in the Premier League after a final day 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace having completed their relegation escape a week earlier against Arsenal. Plenty of pundits had tipped Forest for the drop, but it was Leeds United and Leicester City who join Southampton in the Championship next season.
Forest were relegated to being the final game on last night's show, something their fans will probably be happy with as it meant the stakes were low after an intense season. After discussing the fine job Roy Hodgson had done with Palace, host Lineker also praised Cooper after Forest made 22 summer signings with further recruits arriving in January.
Marinakis message
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has hailed the support from Nottingham Forest fans as the Reds look forward to another season in the Premier League.
Safety was secured with a game to spare when Steve Cooper ’s side beat Arsenal little more than a week ago. It meant there was a party atmosphere in the away end at Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign.
Forest supporters were in jubilant mood from the moment they set foot in the capital, and that continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening at Selhurst Park. After the whistle had blown on the 1-1 draw, there was then a special moment as fans, players and staff celebrated together.
Marinakis also joined in, making his way across the pitch before acknowledging the crowd. Posting on Instagram, he has now highlighted the incredible backing from the Reds faithful.
Navas bids farewell
Keylor Navas has sent an emotional message following the end of his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
The Costa Rican arrived at the City Ground from Paris Saint-Germain in January after another on-loan shot-stopper, Dean Henderson, picked up what turned out to be a season-ending injury.
Navas played a key role in the Reds' successful survival bid this season. Steve Cooper's side secure their Premier League status for another campaign with a game to spare.
And in a post on Instagram, the 36-year-old, who won three Champions League titles at Real Madrid, has shared a heartfelt message to the Reds faithful.
Lodi drops hint
Renan Lodi has posted what could be seen as a farewell message to Nottingham Forest fans on social media.
The Brazilian left-back ended his loan spell at the City Ground after making 32 appearances in total, scoring once.
The 25-year-old is set to return to Atletico Madrid but would be welcomed back by Forest fans given his contribution to keeping the club in the Premier League.
However, that may not happen and his post on Instagram after the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace could easily be seen as a goodbye to supporters.
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