The Reds had the most active summer spending spree in Premier League history after winning promotion via the Championship play-off final, singing 22 players. They added a 23rd ahead of the January transfer window, with Brazilian attacking midfielder Gustavo Scarpa signing for the East Midlands club last week. When asked by BBC East Midlands Today if anyone in Qatar had impressed, Cooper laughed as he gave a nod of appreciation to Argentina megastar Lionel Messi and France maestro Kylian Mbappe. “The number 10 for Argentina is not bad and the wide player for France, ” Cooper grinned. “Like always in a World Cup you see the obvious superstars that carry the results for their countries, you see the guys that surprise and come out of nowhere and everything in between that. “There have been some great stories written by some of the teams and players at the World Cup.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder played and scored at the last World Cup but after not being selected has had to watch recent games while at a training camp with Forest in Greece. Speaking to BBC East Midlands Today’s Charlie Slater days before England face France in the World Cup quarter-final, Lingard said: "I've been watching quite a few games to be honest. "Brazil look strong, France and our team look strong as well. It's more about belief now. I think England have the belief more than the last World Cup where I was involved.
Nottingham Forest - BBC SportFormer Nottingham Forest keeper Jordan Smith has been reflecting on his stunning save against Ipswich on the final day of the season in May 2017. Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Smith relived the moment he turned Dominic Samuel's shot onto the bar with the scores level before Forest went on to win 3-0 and secure their Championship status for another year.
"Image source, Getty ImagesWith the return of domestic football now just two weeks away, Nottingham Forest have three matches before the Premier League begins in earnest. Fп»їorest have already started their preparations for the return of domestic football by taking on Stoke on Saturday and will have a behind-closed-doors fixture before taking on Olympiakos and Valencia. Tп»їuesday, 6 December, Atromitos v Nottingham ForestSп»їaturday, 10 December, Olympiakos v Nottingham Forest, Piraeus, 17:00 GMTFriday, 16 December, Valencia v Nottingham Forest, Valencia, 18:30 GMTBefore facing Manchester United on 27 December, Forest will host Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup on Wednesday, 21 December.
Image source, BBC SportCharlie Slater on tour with Forest in Greece for BBC East Midlands Today:Gustavo’s world! Over a million followers on social media and almost as many individual awards from playing in Brazil’s Brasileiro. Gustavo Scarpa is a skateboarding, goal making, guitar playing, rubik’s cube master and might just be your new favourite player. He impressed in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this week and will be available to play for Forest from January. He’s also a dab hand at impressions and already has a stereotypically posh English accent that he gave me a burst of sitting pitch side at Olympiakos’ Karaiskakis Stadium.
Image source, Getty Images Gustavo Scarpa "strikes the ball better than anyone Nottingham Forest have at the moment", according to South American football expert Jon Cotterill, amid reports linking the Palmeiras midfielder with a move to the City Ground. Forest have reportedly agreed a deal, external to sign the 28-year-old, who has been capped once by Brazil. "He's had a fantastic year, his best year as a pro, " Cotterill told BBC Radio Nottingham's 'Shut Up And Show More Football' podcast.
"It feels amazing, and I’m pleased to get it over the line. I’d like to thank the club and my family for their support in helping me get here, " said Donnelly in a club interview., external"Nottingham feels like home away from home for me now, it’s a lovely city, the people are nice and I’m really enjoying it. "It’s a dream come true, firstly being involved in the under-18s and under-21s, and then going on to make my first-team debut this season was amazing. "We’re playing against top-level players every week which is really helping with our development and I want to keep pushing on from here.
We’ll never know but their work here could prove crucial as they attempt to ensure their first season back in the Premier League isn’t a brief dalliance with the top flight. Forest take on Olympiakos in a friendly on SaturdayImage source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest Under-21 defender Aaron Donnelly has signed a new contract to extend his stay with the club. The 19-year-old made his Forest debut in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town in August.
"So Forest are getting someone absolutely bang on form. He's 29 in January so he's at his peak. "He's someone who strikes the ball absolutely fabulously - better than anyone Forest have at the moment. He's got a fantastic left foot, a piledriver of a left foot. "He's a dead-ball specialist. No one is like that at Forest at the moment, so he's going to bring a real weapon. "He can dribble, but he's not famous for it. There's no real pace about him, but defensively he's sound and, although he's really skinny, he does get stuck in.
"I just remember the City Ground falling silent, almost as if time stood still, " said Smith. "All the technical training we do and the things we work on just went out of the window and instinct took over. "I'm so happy I managed to keep it out and I know how big that moment fortunately proved to be. "Listen to more from Smith on the latest episode of the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast here on BBC SoundsImage source, ReutersNottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says there have been a number of eye-catching performances at the World Cup, but is coy about whether or not any have convinced him to further add to his squad.
“We will see, at the moment we are just focused on training. When January comes and the window opens, we will see where we are at. ”You can read more and watch an interview with Cooper by clicking here. Forest hero Jordan Smith opens up on 20 years at the club - starting aged seven - in your latest edition of Shut Up and Show More Football.
It's a must-listen episode for Forest fans as he charts a journey packed with emotion and pride. The podcast is hereNew Nottingham Forest signing Gustavo Scarpa is enjoying his first few weeks in the East Midlands. BBC Radio Nottingham went to meet him: What type of person are you? I’m a very cool person. I like to hang out with my family, my wife, my friends. And I love to skateboard. I understand you've been skateboarding in the middle of Nottingham but that you might not be allowed to anymore? That's the first time I've heard this! I will take it easy but where there are moments that I can skate, then I will. How big a part of your life is skateboarding? Can I say too much? It helps me a lot in my mind to keep me calm.
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There had been calls for the 28-year-old to be included in Brazil’s World Cup squad, but it wasn’t to be. He smiled when I asked why he’s not in Qatar - competition for places being so fierce in the forward positions the general reply. He’ll face competition to get in Steve Cooper’s Forest side in the New Year too but so far he’s made a good impression with the Welshman impressed by his personality and work ethic in training. He’ll get another chance to impress in Saturday’s mid-season friendly at Olympiakos. Forest will fly home straight after the game but for me, my 29 hours in Greece is up - the cold beckons! Jesse Lingard believes England can go on and win the World Cup and admits it has been "strange" watching from afar.
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Forest know this, that’s why they’re here and while Jesse Lingard told me that it’s definitely "coming home", striker Taiwo Awoniyi says a week in the Athens sun is a good opportunity for a group that includes 23 new signings to continue their team bonding. The plan will be to pick up where they left off before the international break when they were unbeaten in three games that included an encouraging EFL Cup win over Spurs and a vital three points against Crystal Palace. There’s an acceptance that the break came at a bad time for them, perhaps Forest were just hitting their stride.
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I think they have the confidence and belief to go on and win it. "On watching the games versus taking part he added: "Yes it's strange here. I needed to kick on as soon as I signed here, which I didn't. Understandably that's why you don't get picked. But I still support them. I'll always be there to support them. "I am going to keep working hard and trying to score and assist and do well for Forest. That's when England come calling. As long as I do my bit on the pitch everything else should fall into place. "And cheekily when asked if England can win the World Cup, Lingard added: "Yes, it's coming home definitely. "Listen to a clip of Lingard hereCharlie Slater on tour with Forest in Greece for BBC East Midlands Today:This is one of those odd trips that doesn’t come around very often and when they do occur it’s usually in the summer. So the chance to chat to Premier League footballers mid season in a relaxed (and warm! ) environment is worth the trip. With England consumed by World Cup fever it’s tough to picture Nottingham Forest running out at a baltic Blackburn Rovers in less than a fortnight but that’s the reality.
In the beginning, it was a hobby but now it’s almost a lifestyle. I can see you've won lots of awards in the Brazilian league - why were you not at the World Cup? Brazil is full of great players and everyone who is there deserves it. Let’s keep going. I will keep working hard so at the next World Cup I can be there.  What can Forest fans expect from you? I'm very hard-working and I will try to score some goals and get some assists. Watch the full clip hereScarpa scored 13 goals and made 15 assists for Palmeiras before his contract expired earlier this month. He was given the Golden Ball award for his efforts - offered to the best player in Brazil's Serie A.
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