Striker Sam Surridge is confident Steve Cooper can get the best out of him as he looks to contribute to Nottingham Forest’s promotion push.
The 23-year-old was a deadline day signing for the Reds, joining from Championship rivals Stoke City in a deal believed to be worth about £2.2m.
He has worked with Cooper before, when the Welshman signed him on loan from Bournemouth during his time at Swansea City, in the summer of 2019.
Surridge found the net seven times in 23 games during his half-season with the Swans, and while he is yet to get his first in the Garibaldi - having made three substitute appearances - he believes the goals will soon start to flow.
“The manager and the size of the club were both key factors,” the forward said of making the move to the City Ground. “I know what kind of club Forest are. It’s a massive club.
“The first time I came here and saw all the fans, it was incredible.
“I knew what size of club I was coming into, and it’s something I wanted to pursue.
“The manager helped as well. Playing in the Championship under him at a young age at Swansea, he helped me do that. He brought out the best in me, so hopefully he can do that again.
“Sometimes it just clicks with managers. He works well with younger players, and I was a younger player at Swansea, so he knows what I’m about.
“I couldn’t tell you certain things that he does, but he knows how to get the best out of me.
“I talk to him on a regular basis. I think he knows how to help me.
“It’s just one of them. I’ve taken to him as a person, and I think that helps. Sometimes managers just get a feel for players, and obviously he’s got a feel for me.
“I’m happy to play under him, and long may it continue.”
Surridge was believed to be close to joining Cardiff City on loan before the January window closed, until the Reds intervened as they looked to cover for an injury to Lewis Grabban.
He had joined the Potters from the Cherries last summer, but had a stop-start first half to the campaign and found himself out of favour.
“It was a long day. I wasn’t sure whether I was coming to Forest on the day still,” he said.
“But as soon as I heard from my agent that Forest had put a bid in, it was one that I didn’t want to turn down - especially with Steve Cooper being here.
“I wanted to get here, and I wanted to play under him. I wanted to come in and just help the team in any way I can. I think, so far, I’ve done that.
“For myself, it’s more trying to get the goals, get the starts and have a positive end to the season, then kick on again next season.
“The lads have been great since Steve Cooper has been here anyway, so it’s almost just helping out where I can.
“I haven’t come here to be a sub, I want to be a starter. But at the moment, if my job is coming on and helping the team, then that’s what I’ll do.
“I will always work as hard as I can and put a shift in.”
He added: “Like any striker, goals help confidence. I think once I get one, I’ll get a few.
“I showed in my first month at Stoke that I can get goals. After that, it was just one of those things - I got taken out of the team and things just didn’t work out.
“Once I get one here, I think I’ll get on a roll. I know it will come.
“I think I’ve done everything but score so far! It’s just about helping the team.”
