“We need to add to strengthen in my opinion”- Frustrated Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest still need new signings as he sends message to club’s board after Arsenal defeat
Head coach Steve Cooper says new signings are needed as Nottingham Forest continue to target new additions in the final weeks of the transfer window.
The Reds have brought in three new faces so far, with goalkeeper Matt Turner, Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina having put pen to paper. Meanwhile, striker Chris Wood’s move from Newcastle United officially became a permanent one.
Further additions are required before the September 1 deadline, however. Another keeper, as well as reinforcements at left-back, in central defence, in central midfield and, potentially, in attack are on Forest’s shopping list.
Prior to his team’s trip to face Arsenal in their opening game, Cooper spoke about how he would like to have seen more business done by now. And after the visitors’ 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, he reiterated his belief that there is still work to be done in the window.
“There’s nothing imminent,” he told the BBC. “I have to trust the club to crack on with the work. My work is to work with the team every day, come in every day and try to get the best out of them. That’s why, at half-time, I was telling them, ‘come on, guys, you can do better than this’.
“If we are able to add, great. If not, we’ll carry on. But in my opinion, we do need to add to strengthen some vital positions.”
I’m frustrated with the first half,” Cooper said. “Arsenal are a really good team and have strengthened from last year.
“Second half, we showed a bit more quality and belief that we belong at this level. It then leaves a feeling of what might have been in a game which was really tough.”
The Reds came close to claiming a result in the capital. Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka had put the Gunners 2-0 up at the break, but Cooper’s men responded in an improved second half.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi came off the bench to reduce the deficit, being set up by debutant Anthony Elanga. Forest pushed for a late equaliser but couldn’t quite find a leveller in their first game of the new season.
