Head coach Steve Cooper will use Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup run as a “reference point” for his players, to show they can hold their own on the big stage.
As they chase promotion in their remaining games of the Championship season, Cooper is keen to make sure some outstanding cup performances are used as a springboard. None more so than the Reds’ quarter-final display against Liverpool.
Forest went toe-to-toe with Jurgen Klopp’s side, pushing them all the way - with only Diogo Jota’s second half goal separating the sides at the finish. And even that came courtesy of a questionable VAR call over a potential offside.
Read more: Cooper makes 'interesting' claim over VAR calls
Read more: Why the best could still be to come for Forest
Transfer decision
Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson is “almost the finished article”, according to Wales boss Robert Page.
And Johnson’s international manager believes staying at the City Ground in January was the right call for the Reds youngster. Since the transfer window closed, he has continued to be an integral player for Steve Cooper’s side and has taken his goal tally to 12 for the season so far.
A host of Premier League clubs have been eyeing Johnson up since last summer, when he returned from a loan spell at Lincoln City. But it was Brentford who really pushed to sign him earlier this year, with Forest rejecting what would have been a club record fee for the 20-year-old.
The Nigel Doughty Academy product will now link up with his country during the international break. And ahead of his side’s World Cup play-off against Austria, Page has heaped praise on Johnson.
Eye-catching form
A trio of scouts from Premier League clubs reportedly attended Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool to check out Joe Worrall.
The centre-back has long been linked with a move to Premier League, with Burnley holding a long-term interest in the Academy graduate. But there are other admirers of the player and, according to the Mirror (via SussexLive ), Brighton, Everton and West Ham United all sent representatives to the City Ground on Sunday.
And they would have been impressed as the 25-year-old produced an outstanding against Liverpool, receiving 9/10 in NottinghamshireLive’s play ratings. Like a number of the Reds’ players, like Brennan Johnson, Worrall’s future could hinge on whether Steve Cooper’s side win promotion to the Premier League this season.
Brighton have a strong reputation for player development and are in the market for a new centre-back after Dan Burn left for Nerwcastle United in January.
Pundit's verdict
Alan Shearer has delivered a clear one-word reaction to whether Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty against Liverpool.
The Reds bowed out the competition after giving the Premier League heavyweights a real run for their money at the City Ground, with Diogo Jota’s close-range strike proving to be the only goal of the game. However, soon after the goal, there were massive shouts for a Forest penalty when midfielder Ryan Yates went down under a challenge from keeper Alisson Becker as he broke into the box.
Amid huge appeals from the home fans and players, the incident was checked by VAR, which awarded a goal-kick rather than a spot-kick. Former England and Newcastle United striker Shearer believes the right call was made.
Football Joe initially tweeted: “Another massive VAR call goes Liverpool’s way. Should this have been a penalty?” with Shearer simply replying: “No.”
