Preparations are well underway as Nottingham Forest build towards their FA Cup clash with Huddersfield Town on Monday night. But with the key game - and a possible home tie with Liverpool if they win - come some interesting dilemma's for Reds boss Steve Cooper. Here are the latest Forest headlines on Sunday, March 6, 2022...
Cooper sets out FA Cup stance as Liverpool lie in wait
A possible FA Cup clash against Liverpool must be used as an "incentive", according to Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
The Reds play Huddersfield Town on Monday night (7.30pm kick-off) with the victor to take on Jurgen Klopp's Premier League title-chasing side at home in the quarter-finals, but Cooper says his players must not get "distracted" by a potential glamour tie.
“The motivation of a cup game is to get through to the next round, of course. But knowing Liverpool is next has to be a motivation, especially with the chance of being at home,” Cooper said.
“But you’ve got to focus on what it takes to get there - and that’s playing well and winning the next game. That’s where our focus will lie. We look forward to playing at home and are focused on what it takes to do well against a strong team.
“There’s context around every game you play, and with a cup game it’s who could be next - and it would be Liverpool at home. But you can’t get distracted by that. You have to focus on Huddersfield, focus on the game plan and focus on the preparation, be ready to play well.
“It’s a good incentive, but don’t be distracted by it. Huddersfield are in great form at the moment. They are really well-coached and can play a number of different systems and employ different tactics.
“We have to be ready for that, but focus on ourselves and what we bring to the table.”
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Goalkeeping dilemma among difficult selection picks
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper faces some tough selection decisions for Monday night’s FA Cup clash against Huddersfield Town.
After a “physically demanding” 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Friday night, the Welshman must weigh up whether to give a few of his players a breather in the fifth round tie.
Cooper has generally stuck with a settled group throughout his time in charge, as he looks to build momentum in results and performances.
And perhaps his biggest dilemma will be over whether to restore goalkeeper Brice Samba to the starting XI, following his three-match suspension, with Ethan Horvath having impressed in his absence.
Defender Max Lowe is also available again, having been ineligible to feature against the Blades. His inclusion means choosing between Jack Colback, Ryan Yates and James Garner for the two midfield slots - or playing the latter in a more advanced role, which would involve leaving out one of the attacking players.
“That’s the life of a head coach, making those decisions. I’d rather have those dilemmas than not,” said Cooper.
“You’re always upsetting players with the teams you pick, because everybody wants to play. Certainly, at the moment everybody wants to play, which is a good thing.
“The more decisions we have to make on that front, the better. And we’ve certainly got them at the moment."
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Huddersfield boss to seek medical advice over key players
Huddersfield Town boss Carlos Corberan is to seek medical advice on whether four players will be able to play against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
The two sides meet in the fifth round on Monday night with a plum home tie against Liverpool the reward for the victors.
Huddersfield put three goals past Championship basement side Peterborough United without reply on Friday night, and Corberan is expected to maintain his policy of rotating his team in the FA Cup.
But he will need to seek approval from his club's medical staff over whether a number of key players will be eligible to feature at the City Ground.
Central defender Levi Colwill and wideman Josh Koroma were both absent from Friday's win due to illness, while Lewis O'Brien picked up a knock late in the first half; Tino Anjorin made his long-awaited debut from the bench having spent five months on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal.
All four players will need to be assessed to see how much of a part they can play against Forest.
