Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has heaped praise on Jesse Lingard following Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
The Reds won the day thanks to a first Reds goal from Taiwo Awoniyi; with Lingard claiming an indirect assist for the goal.
Forest were brilliant throughout the game against the Hammers and although they rode their luck, they’ll be satisfied with the first three points.
Next up, the Reds travel to Everton. After that, things get really tough with Tottenham and Manchester City to come before the end of August.
Lingard has been Forest’s stellar signing during the summer transfer window. He rejected West Ham to pen a one-year deal at the City Ground.
Cooper has praised his latest performance, whilst conceding that there is still more to come from the 29-year-old.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “Great assist! He showed really good moments. His movement and tactical awareness, how he played in certain areas was really pleasing.
“He balanced off his game between staying with the midfield players and being with the two strikers. He had a really positive game and the good thing is he got another 90 minutes.”
Cooper praise on Lingard is deserved
Clearly, the former Manchester United man has more work to do on his fitness but glimpses of his quality were there for all to see.
Everything he does is just effortless and on Sunday he often forced West Ham onto the back foot throughout the 90 minutes.
Lingard is a big-game player. He’s scored in an FA Cup Final and in the World Cup, so he won’t be fazed by turning out for Forest.
The challenge for Cooper is to simply get Lingard fit and get him to produce his best results for Forest in the Premier League.
The versatile attacker played over 200 times for Manchester United and that level of experience is exactly what’s required at Forest.
It may take some time to see a fully fit Lingard but he already looks like a useful player for the Reds to have as part of their team.
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