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Nottingham Forest notebook - Elanga ambition, Morato's English lessons, new role for familiar face
Nottingham Forest will be aiming to keep their good form going when they make the trip to face Brentford this weekend.
The Reds are fourth in the table after toppling Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground. Next up is a clash with the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be aware they face a tough challenge against a team with a strong home record. Ahead of the game, below is our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside.
Aiming high
Anthony Elanga is confident Forest can continue to challenge at the top end of the Premier League. The winger scored the winner against Villa to make it back-to-back wins for Nuno’s men.
They ended Saturday fourth in the table. And with Manchester City losing on Sunday, the Reds remain above the reigning champions. For Elanga, the foundations to the club’s progress this season were laid in the summer.
Asked if Forest have a squad that can push for European football, he said after the full-time whistle on Saturday: “100 percent. I think the difference this season is the fact that we made the signings early on and we all had a pre-season.
“Nuno got to have a proper pre-season, because that’s made a huge difference. He got his ideas in early. And we have bought into them and I think that’s shown from the attitude of the players today.
“Last season, we were playing good football but we weren’t effective and clinical in front of goal. We had decisions going against us, points deductions, it was a crazy season. I think from pre-season we said to each other: ‘We can do something this season.’
“We have to take it game by game. I want the fans to enjoy the season, it has been amazing so far and we want it to be amazing, going forward and for them to enjoy the journey.”
Familiar face
Southampton’s decision to sack manager Russell Martin on Sunday night has left a familiar face at the helm. Simon Rusk, who was appointed as Forest’s first ever set-piece coach last December, has been placed in interim charge of the Saints.
Rusk arrived at the City Ground as the club looked for a solution to what was a significant problem at the time, with set-pieces being an Achilles’ heel. However, the former England Under-19s boss had little influence in the first-team set-up once Nuno came in and he left the Reds in the summer to become Under-21s head coach at St Mary’s.
Following Martin’s departure, Rusk will be in the dugout for Southampton’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night. The managerial change was made on the back of a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with the Saints bottom of the Premier League table with five points to their name.
Generous donations
Forest have expressed their gratitude for the “overwhelming generosity” of fans on day one of the club’s Food and Multibank collection. More than a tonne of essential items were donated on the opening day of the collection.
Defender Neco Williams is among those to have donated. The collection is open for donations from Monday to Friday this week, between 1pm and 7pm, at the Fanzone, located in the Brian Clough Stand car park. In addition to food donations, critical non-food items such as toothpaste, soap, washing-up liquid and sanitary products can be donated to the multibank.
The club said: “Nottingham Forest Football Club is deeply grateful for the overwhelming generosity demonstrated by our supporters on the opening day of our Food and Multibank collection, part of the 'Home for Christmas' campaign. We encourage continued generosity and express our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support.”
The Reds’ Home for Christmas campaign is a community and charity-focused initiative spearheaded by owner Evangelos Marinakis with a number of events taking place. Forest added: “On day one of the collection, we were humbled by the generosity of the Forest family, as the Fanzone stage was filled with donations that will make a tangible difference to the lives of those in need this holiday season. Our owner, Mr. Marinakis, has committed to matching the total amount raised, further amplifying the impact of this campaign and ensuring that Forest provides both hope and dignity to families across our city this Christmas.”
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Morato adapting
It has been quite the few months for summer signing Morato. It has been a period of change and adaptation for the 23-year-old since he switched to the City Ground from Benfica.
Not only is he having to adjust to the rigours of English football, he is also learning a new language and getting to grips with having recently become a father for the first time. It seems he is taking everything in his stride, though - much like whenever he is called upon to take to the pitch.
“The intensity is the most surprising thing,” Morato told the club programme of playing in the Premier League. “If you’re not intense and focused from start to finish, then you will lose games - and that’s the case against all opposition. Everyone can win, and that is the beauty of this league.”
And what about parenthood? “It’s something else. You wait for nine months thinking about what it’s going to be like, how you are going to behave - and when the baby arrives, you don’t know what to do. It’s been great, excellent,” the Brazilian said.
“Even if I’m going to lose a lot of sleep, it’s for a good cause! So it’s now time to enjoy it and be with her, now and for ever.”
Morato got to see snow for the first time when the UK had its recent bout of wintry weather. It added to a list of next experiences as he continues to get used to his new home.
“With my English I’m doing really well, though let me tell you three months ago when I first arrived it was tough! It’s easier now. I’m learning every day and feeling more and more comfortable,” he added.
