Nottingham Forest want to keep the core of their promotion-winning “band of brothers” together for their return to the Premier League.
And CEO Dane Murphy says that includes trying to retain the services of at least some of the five loanees who became key members of Steve Cooper’s squad. Djed Spence (Middlesbrough), James Garner (Manchester United), Philip Zinckernagel (Watford), Max Lowe (Sheffield United) and Keinan Davis (Aston Villa) all played crucial roles in helping the Reds return to the top-flight.
Forest had drawn up two transfer plans for this summer, for either another season in the Championship or for making the step up. Murphy says, with the foundations already in place, the priority for the window will be cementing the group, followed by strengthening with further additions.
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Referee verdict
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg does "not blame" referee Jon Moss for not awarding penalties against Nottingham Forest during the Championship play-off final against Huddersfield Town.
The Reds ' opponents felt hard done to not be awarded a penalty late on at Wembley Stadium when both Harry Toffolo and Lewis O’Brien fell to the floor inside the 18-yard box ten minutes apart without receiving a decision. Toffolo instead received a yellow card after being adjudged to have dived with Jack Colback in attendance, while the O'Brien incident involving Max Lowe was ignored.
Video assistant referee Paul Tierney also did not overrule the on-field referee for either decision. Clattenburg believes that the second shout "did not look good" but stopped short of blaming the VAR official.
Striker linked
Nottingham Forest reportedly "fancy their chances" of re-signing academy graduate Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers this summer.
The 23-year-old left the City Ground initially on loan as a teenager in August 2018 before making the move to Lancashire permanent the following January. Brereton Diaz has scored 31 goals in over 100 appearances since departing, 22 of which came last season as Rovers fell short of a play-off position in the Championship.
After having a one-year contract extension option activated by the club back in May when the striker was set to be a free agent this summer, it is claimed that Blackburn are "looking to cash in" this off-season now that they can secure a transfer fee. As many as five Premier League clubs are said to be interested.
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Promotion celebrations
He has cemented his place in Nottingham Forest history by delivering promotion to the Premier League, but football management isn’t Steve Cooper’s only talent.
The Reds boss is also seemingly a dab hand at playing the guitar, as he showed on Sunday night. The Welshman was quick to get a tune out of Forest after he arrived in September, and he clearly has some musical ability off the pitch.
Fresh from his team’s triumph at Wembley, Cooper joined in with local group Phil Rostance and The Marshall Band to perform Oasis hit Wonderwall as the celebrations got in full swing. The party continued for some time, too.
“He’s a man of many talents! He can handle a guitar, definitely,” band member Ben Marshall told NottinghamshireLive.
