Orel Mangala has told the Forest Review matchday programme that two Nottingham Forest players are like brothers to him.
The Reds midfielder missed Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace through suspension following a red card against Tottenham.
Mangala signed for the Reds for £12 million from VfB Stuttgart during the summer transfer window.
He’s been struggling with a hamstring problem during the first half of the season and that’s restricted his game time.
Mangala was brilliant against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and it’s perhaps a shame he couldn’t play on Saturday.
Still, it seems he’s settling in quite nicely at Forest and he’s been discussing his start to life in England.
He’s mentioned that two players have taken him under his wing on Trentside.
Mangala told the Forest Review matchday programme: “I feel good in any formation or position the gaffer asks me to play.
“We spend a lot of time as a group of players. Serge (Aurier) and Cheikhou (Kouyate) are like my big brothers!
“There are many players here that I get on with.”
Mangala will now get a few weeks of rest after missing out on the Belgium squad for the World Cup.
The 25-year-old will hope to reclaim a place in the team once the Premier League action returns in December.
Mangala says two Forest stars are like his big brothers
Team spirit is growing all the time on Trentside it would seem. Indeed, Mangala, Aurier and Kouyate look to have hit it off away from the pitch.
The Belgian player looks like a really useful signing for the Reds. He’s not played as much as he would have liked, however, and the challenge now is to stay fit.
It’s good to see morale being high at the City Ground. Having signed 22 new players in the summer, it was always going to be hard to get them all singing from the same hymn sheet.
Recently, however, some green shoots have emerged. There have been clear signs that things are looking up for the Reds.
Mangala has won praise from Cooper recently and hopefully, he can be like a new signing during the second half of the season.