Nottingham Forest are preparing to return to Premier League action against Leicester City on Monday night as the international break winds down.
With Forest looking to make the most of two weeks off to get their season back on track, we sat down to answer listener questions on the Garibaldi Red podcast to address the season so far and what lies ahead.
The panel was made up of host Matt Davies and regular guests Greg Mitchell, Michael Temple and Mikey Clarke. Here is a selection of the questions that were posed. Listen to the full podcast here, or watch it here.
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Is Cooper not signing a contract doing more damage to team morale than we realise?
GM: "I don't think it's impacting the team. I think it affects fan morale. If we're after a boost, giving Cooper a contract before Leicester away would do that. When fans have something to talk about, we talk about it to death so it would be good to get it sorted sooner or later."
MT: "I'm with Greg. Players don't think about much more than the game ahead and preparing themselves. There's a refreshing selfishness about sportsmen in general in that they're really good at preparing themselves. Of course they care about the team but they aren't sweating about the manager's contract."
MC: "My only thought would be that if I were offered more money to do the same job and don't sign, that worries me. I assume he's been offered improved terms. For the fans there's that worry as to why he's not signed.
"I'm hopeful that after a couple of wins it's signed and everyone can stop worrying. We aren't privy to what happens behind the scenes, but I don't see it impacting the players."
Do you think Cooper is missing the tactical input of Steven Reid?
MC: "It's really difficult to answer as we aren't privy to what he did. He was certainly a highly respected member of the staff. Cooper has replaced him and has more than one coach.
"I guess it's easy to say he is missing him now he's gone but we've struggled and it's hard to say that's the reason."
GM: "The big difference isn't Steven Reid going, it's the difference in the leagues. Whether Steven Reid would have made a difference who knows? It's all been a bit shock and awe at how good opponents have been.
"We're all on a learning curve as fans, players and staff. I'm sure he's missed and we'd be better with him but I don't think it's why we've had a slower start."
What should expectations be? A permanent Premier League club? A yo-yo club? Challenging for Europe or something else?
GM: "I'm going to be realistic for the first time in a few months and say survival is a successful season. Going forwards it's about getting higher up the table. The start has been slow but we have good players coming back and it's got to click a bit quicker. For any newly promoted team survival is success."
MC: "The first team that came to my mind was Wolves. They came up, had a great first season and have been mid-table ever since. That's where we want to be as fans and certainly the owners, they don't want us to get relegated or be a yo-yo club.
"Being like a Wolves has to be a yardstick. The first season and the second is really tough and Forest would be no different."
MT: "Forest fans, me included, long felt the club could operate in the Premier League given the fanbase. Ultimately it's about the expectation of the owners. The owners expect to win. Dominating the Greek Super League is one thing.
"We're in the Premier League and the rules are different. The investment required is different and the capabilities of the other 19 teams are different. I think the owners have an expectation that we avoid relegation this year and I hope they see we are a team that is still forming. For fans, I still think 17th is a success."
What is a reasonable points total before the World Cup?
GM: "It's 15 games so I would say as low as 16 points gives you a good chance to stay up after the World Cup."
MD: "A point a game for me is a solid return with time to improve."
MC: "We're second bottom but if you look at games coming up, they're very winnable with tough games after the World Cup. I know every game is tough.
"If we have a point a game by the World Cup we'll be in the bottom three and there will be changes at the club. My gut feel was 20 points when this question was asked. That would maintain the status quo at the club and I'd be happy."
MT: "I have us getting to 15 points from 15 games by beating Leicester, Brentford and Palace. There's a tough run in between with Liverpool and Arsenal. To get past 15 points we need to do better than I think we will against Villa, Wolves and Brighton."
What is Forest's best XI if everyone is fit?
MT: Mine in the current shape is Henderson; Worrall, Niakhate, McKenna; Williams, Mangala, O'Brien, Lodi; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White
MD: Mine is a 4-3-3 right now - Henderson, Williams, Worrall/McKenna, Niakhate, Lodi; O'Brien, Mangala, Freuler; Johnson, Gibbs-White, Awoniyi
Lingard could get in if he shows form. Against Leicester I would play Yates or Kouyate for their threat from corners perhaps.
MC: Mine is the same as Temps' but against Leicester I'd sacrifice one of the front three for a midfielder to keep it tight. There will be games where a back four is warranted, but seven or eight times out of 10 I'd go with what Temps said and I think it's Cooper's favoured formation.
What would your starting XI be? Have your say in the comments section below
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