Debutants Jonjo Shelvey and Felipe made positive impressions on Reds head coach Steve Cooper in their first Nottingham Forest appearances.
Defender Felipe’s debut came in unusual circumstances when the Reds were forced to change two centre-backs due to injury after seven minutes of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham. The deadline day signing and Joe Worrall came on for Scott McKenna and Willy Boly, who both pulled up with hamstring problems at the same time.
Shelvey, meanwhile, was called on before the hour mark at Craven Cottage, having also put pen to paper for the club before the January window closed. The former Newcastle United man, who has recovered from a calf strain, made a difference for the visitors, contributing to a much improved second half.
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If he is fit enough to start, he might well have played his way into the XI for this weekend’s clash against Manchester City. Felipe is almost certain to be in the line-up at the City Ground - although even if Cooper wasn’t short of defenders, his performance would have given the manager food for thought.
"Through the disappointment of the game, you should always look at what other good returns you got from it,” Cooper said. “Both of them wanted to get their first experience of playing for the club, and I thought it was important for different reasons - Jonjo because he has been out injured and needed the minutes to get back into the rhythm of playing.
"I thought he was excellent. His ability on the ball was as we know, and he got straight back into being who he is. His range of passing was excellent. The cross he made for Serge (Aurier)'s chance was good. Equally, I thought Felipe just slotted in and looked a really good player, which we know he is.
"We're obviously disappointed with how the game went. But those two getting the minutes they did was positive - and Andre (Ayew) as well.”
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