Nottingham Forest boss gives his thoughts on competition in his squad

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has praised the attitude of players in his squad who aren’t getting regular game time as he faces a tough decision on which goalkeeper to start against Reading this weekend.

Following first choice goalkeeper Brice Samba’s red card against Stoke City, it was up to Ethan Horvath to step up in his place.

In the three games Horvath played whilst Samba served his ban, he did well keeping two clean sheets. This led him to remain in the squad for Monday’s FA Cup win against Huddersfield Town.

It’s yet to be seen whether or not this means Horvath will remain as the new number one choice for the foreseeable or not but Cooper claims it’s a good problem to have as he told Nottingham Live: “I see it as a really positive situation with both goalkeepers – I say both, but Jordan Smith plays a bit part in the group as well, if you’re talking bout someone who shouldn’t go under the radar.

“I see it as a very competitive, hard-working goalkeeping department at the moment. Not that we separate them too much, because we involve them a lot in our work, with Danny Alcok, the goalkeeping coach.

“I just see it as it should be – goalkeepers working really hard and pushing each other to try to get in the team. It’s as simple as that, really.”

Cooper seems to suggest that despite the fact he’s got players missing out on game time, he’s lucky to have players with the right attitude and willing to work-hard to try and keep or regain their place in the side. He credited all of his squad who are currently playing for having this attitude as he said: “The bit that pleases me the most is the lads who haven’t played so much and the players I’ve maybe let down a little bit with game time and opportunities. The likes of