Head coach Steve Cooper has urged his Nottingham Forest players not to take the special City Ground atmosphere for granted.
The Reds have enjoyed some memorable afternoons and evenings on the banks of the Trent since Cooper took charge.
Sunday’s 4-1 hammering of Leicester City was right up there, with a palpable buzz from the stands as Forest fans watched their team dismantle the FA Cup holders in the fourth round tie.
And the Reds boss is keen to ensure his squad don’t become complacent about playing in front of packed-out stands.
“I did say to the players in the lead-up, we should never get used to what playing at the City Ground gives,” the Welshman told NottinghamshireLive.
Transfer stance
James Garner is said to be “hopeful” his successful Nottingham Forest loan spell could lead to him playing a role for parent club Manchester United next season.
The midfielder has been back to his best for the Reds of late, including excelling against Leicester City in Sunday’s 4-1 FA Cup triumph.
Just as in his first stint at the City Ground, when he joined for the second half of last term, Garner has been integral for Forest in recent weeks.
And the Manchester Evening News report sources close to the 20-year-old “are optimistic” that form could see him secure a first-team squad role at Old Trafford for 2022/23.
Scouting mission
Tottenham Hotspur managing director of football Fabio Paratici was reportedly in attendance at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon to 'scout' Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence.
Both players were subjected to reported interest from several Premier League sides during the January transfer window last month and have continued to catch the eye as the Reds again advanced in the FA Cup in front of terrestrial television cameras.
Johnson scored what proved to be the winner against Leicester City in the first half while Middlesbrough loanee Spence was also on the scoresheet to restore a three-goal lead with the fourth and final strike just after the hour mark.
football.london ’s Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold reported that the former Juventus chief football officer was understood to be taking a trip to the East Midlands a day after Tottenham advanced to the fifth round against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Added motivation
Nottingham Forest have had a taste of what it’s like to mix with Premier League company, and that has only fuelled their hunger to do so more often.
A run in the FA Cup has generated some magical nights Trentside, with Arsenal and then Leicester City sent packing.
But promotion remains the big goal, and winger Philip Zinckernagel is well aware that to achieve that the Reds must back up Sunday’s success with a result in the Championship.
Prior to their 4-1 mauling of the Foxes, Steve Cooper’s side had been beaten by Cardiff City. They are eager to avoid falling to a second straight league defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.
