Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper can do no wrong and supporters will absolutely love his comments aimed at Richard Keogh after Saturday’s win.
The Reds ran out 2-1 win over Blackpool. Brennan Johnson scored in the first half, with Lewis Grabban scoring the winner after a Jerry Yates equaliser.
Blackpool had won three and drawn one of their last four games. Forest, however, never looked like losing with the game particularly one-sided.
Neil Critchley’s men should be fine this season. Cooper, however, has explained that he targeted one area of the pitch in particular at the weekend.
Keogh moved to Blackpool from Huddersfield in the summer. He passed a late fitness test and lined up against the Reds at the weekend.
That seems as though it was music to the ears of Cooper, who suggested he saw a weakness in the Blackpool ranks.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “The plan was for Brennan to get in behind the left centre-back because we thought there was a real opportunity to do that.
“He did that comfortably – probably should have made more of it, but at times he got it.”
Forest fans will love Cooper plan for Keogh
Cooper’s stock couldn’t go up any higher at the moment but this will make Forest fans smile.
From the very first minute chants of ‘we saw you cry on the tele’ were aimed at the former Derby captain.
In fairness, he took them in good jest, sticking his thumb up towards the Main Stand at one point.
There was no laughing matter for Keogh when it came to trying to thwart Johnson all afternoon though. The academy graduate had some real joy and breached Keogh to tap in Forest’s opener.
It’s interesting to hear Cooper talk about such specific game plans. Chris Hughton was one for reeling off media-trained comments; making the new head coach a breath of fresh air.
As for Keogh, he’ll be glad to see the back of Johnson!