A trio of Nottingham Forest first-team players, as well as boss Steve Cooper, spoke to the Reds’ Under-18s before their FA Youth Cup semi-final.
Joe Worrall, Ryan Yates and Brennan Johnson addressed Warren Joyce’s side in the dressing room before their clash with Chelsea at the City Ground. And the academy graduates sat in the stands to watch as Forest came from behind to win 3-1 in a dramatic final 10 minutes.
James Garner and Scott McKenna also took in the game, as did Cooper. And it will be Garner’s parent club, Manchester United, who the Reds face in the final, at Old Trafford.
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Transfer talk
Nottingham Forest have been linked with a summer move for Cardiff City goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
The 32-year-old will be a free agent this summer. And it is said he could be moved on at the end of his contract, despite being a regular for the Bluebirds.
WalesOnline report Smithies is one of the higher earners at the club. With a new financial structure set to be introduced after this campaign, the shot-stopper’s wages “may well exceed” that and lead to him heading out the exit door.
He is said to have “a number of admirers”. And the Reds are being credited with an interest.
Cup heroics
Detlef Esapa Osong struggled for words as he reflected on a "crazy" night at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest Under-18s came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 and reach the FA Youth Cup final for the first time in the club's history.
The victory sets up a tip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United for the first time in almost 25 years when even more club history will be at stake. A date has yet to be confirmed
Charlie Webster gave Chelsea the lead midway through the second half but, buoyed on by a vocal fanbase on the banks of the Trent, Dale Taylor levelled the tie on 85 minutes before Osong put the Reds ahead moments later.
There was still time for another Osong goal though as he was fouled inside the penalty box during stoppage time and converted the resulting spot-kick to secure a 3-1 win.
Talking points
A big week for Nottingham Forest got off to the perfect start as the Under-18s reached the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
Warren Joyce’s young charges came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 in a dramatic finale at the City Ground. They will now go toe-to-toe with Manchester United to try to lift the trophy.
And the first-team will be looking to follow that up on the banks of the Trent as they have successive home games in their fight for a play-offs spot. First up, Coventry City are the visitors on Wednesday night, followed by Birmingham City on Saturday.
Ahead of the fixtures, Reds reporter Sarah Clapson answered fans’ questions and responded to comments in a live Q&A on our Forest Facebook page. Here’s how it panned out.
