Pundit Richard Keys has taken a swipe at Nottingham Forest forward Jesse Lingard - while praising head coach Steve Cooper for the work he has done at the City Ground.
Keys believes Cooper "deserves a medal" for keeping Forest in the top flight, though believes marquee summer signing Lingard would have been "better off at West Ham" this season.
He also aimed a cheeky dig at Forest supporters, offering them the opportunity to apologise to him for a season of abuse aimed in his direction.
READ MORE: Squad trimming, Joao Palhinha and 50 being the new 40 for Nottingham Forest next season
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest tipped for 'monstrous' transfer bid as club chief speaks out
Keys said: "For only the fourth time in history all three promoted clubs have survived their first season back in the PL. That’s quite an achievement in itself. All three had different a different formula - Fulham had Mitrovic.
"Bournemouth dogged determination and Gary O’Neil. Forest had Steve Cooper, who had to work it out as he went. There was certainly no template to refer to for the madness he was dealt.
"Cooper deserves a medal. How on earth did he do it? Somehow he had to integrate 30 new signings on top of the regular problems that come with promotion from the C’ship. No wonder he looked to the heavens when the final whistle went v Arsenal.
"I said they’d struggle. They did. I said they’d struggle to win 10 games. They’ve won nine. I said their home form might just be what kept them up It was. And I said Lingard would’ve been better off at West Ham. I was right about that too. I’ll bet Cooper would drive him there if he got the chance to off-load him. My guess is Lingard won’t be at the City Ground next season.
"I’ve said this before as well - if Forest fans would like to apologise for their season-long abuse I’ll accept it in good grace. You were out of order guys. The personal stuff was a disgrace. You let your club down with that."
Is Richard Keys right about Jesse Lingard? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
READ NEXT:
The Keylor Navas lessons which can help Nottingham Forest reach 'next level'
Nottingham Forest sent '99%' transfer tease after emotional City Ground scenes
Morgan Gibbs-White house hunting plans reveal desperation to complete Nottingham Forest transfer
Johnson, Gibbs-White, Yates, Felipe - who has been Nottingham Forest's best player this season?
Nottingham Forest 2023/24 Premier League fixture release and start date
