By David Williams
Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest’s assignment at Chelsea on Saturday is not made any easier by the London club’s recent struggles.
The Welsh manager’s Forest head to Stamford Bridge looking for the three points that could virtually secure their Premier League status and will fancy their chances, despite their dreadful away record.
Chelsea ended a nine-game winless run at Bournemouth last week, but they have not won any of their last five league home matches.
Steve Cooper expects Chelsea to turn up in fine form for Nottingham Forest clashhttps://t.co/LXg5O9HZP4
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 11, 2023
Cooper says he does not take any notice of the problems Frank Lampard is enduring.
“We are playing Chelsea away so that is always going to be a tough game at any time of the season, you look at the squad they have, the changes they can make, the team they can start with, they have players all over the pitch who can make a difference and we have to be ready for that,” he said.
“I never pay any attention to any context around a team we play against apart from them being at their best because I always think you have to prepare for that.
“That’s what we’ll be doing. We want to go there with our best intentions of getting a result we really need and want.
“We have got to know what it takes from our guys to do well and try and minimise the strengths they have because there is a lot.”
Forest will give Serge Aurier every chance to be fit after he limped off in Monday night’s win over Southampton with a knock.
“Serge walked off and we’re doing everything we can to see if he’s available,” he said.
“Maybe in a different time of the season and if Neco (Williams) was fit it might be a different situation, but we are going to give him everything we have to be available. But that might be touch and go.
“(Gustavo) Scarpa is back in full training now so he won’t be far off being available. (Emmanuel) Dennis has been injured, he picked up a knock in training before Southampton and he is still not available.
“Still a bit of a mixed bag, it’s definitely been worse but not something we’re paying attention to.”
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