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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

'Just don't get it' - Nottingham Forest sent strong Joao Carvalho message amid Olympiacos link

Nottingham Forest strengthened their promotion push with a 1-0 win over Millwall at the weekend.

We discussed that dramatic victory, the upcoming game against Derby County and the future of Joao Carvalho on this week's Garibaldi Red podcast as he is linked with Olympiacos.

Matt Davies was joined by BT Sport and BBC broadcaster Darren Fletcher, as well as a fellow Forest fan in Max Hayes of Match Day with Max.

Here is a transcript of part of the conversation. You can listen to the full episode here or watch it here.

What did you make of the Millwall win?

MH: It was a typical performance under Steve Cooper. In the first half Forest didn't play the best football.

Millwall pressed us and we seemed to struggle. Second half it changed.

To get a goal late on, I think people would have said a draw was a decent result to take into Derby. To win it shows the confidence and resilience of the team.

They know they can get a late goal. Cooper has changed the team mentally. He's drilled belief into them that they can get a goal.

I would have said a point was fair, but to snatch it late on was brilliant.

Given the late winner, the new signings and the league table, is something special happening at Forest?

DF: To define special they have to get promoted. You can drill down into why they score late goals, but they're being set up to attack.

They were so negative under Chris Houghton. Lamouchi was defensive too.

Now they want to attack and they have done transfer business designed to make them better.

I wouldn't go as far to say something special is happening. They need to be in the top six and this run needs to carry on.

It's the most excited I've been about Forest for some time. It's reflected by the fact you can't get a ticket.

The whole club is moving forward as one. That counts for a lot.

I don't think this is a bounce or a flash in the pan. The signings have been excellent.

Joao Carvalho has been linked with Olympiacos. Is that a good move?

DF: I don't get it. The best thing about him is the song.

Take the song away I don't see the reason for him to be there. Talented player, cost a lot of money but does he influence games when he comes on? I don't see it.

I don't see him fitting into the new dynamic of the Forest team. I never have.

If he goes to Olympiacos I don't see him making a big impact there. I might be missing something but I certainly don't share the enthusiasm of the Forest supporters who welcome him like royalty.

He gets a better reception than John Robertson when Forest were winning the European Cup.

When he comes on he doesn't do anything. I think he's a player they can do without.

Could he flourish in a different league?

DF: He can flourish in this league, but he needs to want to.

When I see him come on if he gets five touches you're surprised. He just can't get on the ball.

Playing as a number 10 he should have more space than anyone else really. He's in a pocket between midfield and centre-back.

I look at him and think how many touches has he had, what's he done to change the dynamic of a match?

I don't see it consistently enough. Where he flourishes or not is down to him. He's got talent in him, but I don't see it happening at Forest.

Whether it's the effect of going through managers or not playing week after week, I don't know. I'm probably in the minority.

A large section of supporters seem to be infatuated by him.

MH: The amount of managers that have had him available and not started him, from Karanka to Hughton and now Cooper, although he's only been here for four or five months, I think that if managers don't pick a player it says something.

Forest are flying. There's a great squad attitude.

In my opinion you're better to get rid. I would like to see him get 90 minutes, but it's a difficult one.

DF: He's the poster boy for the old recruitment policy. They wanted to catch lightning in a bottle like Wolves did with Jota and Neves.

They thought they would spend the money and get the best player in the league. They realised in time that was the wrong way to go.

They went a different way in the summer because I think they realised they have players who weren't fitting in. The ownership were big enough to recognise they were getting it wrong.

Now they're signing players like Spence and Davis who they feel give you a chance to compete in the Championship.

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