Boss Steve Cooper wanted to maintain Nottingham Forest’s “momentum” as he stuck with Brice Samba in goal against Coventry City.
The Reds went fifth in the table with Wednesday night’s 2-0 win at the City Ground. But prior to the clash with the Sky Blues, Cooper admitted he had a decision to make about who should start between the posts.
Ethan Horvath had held down his place in the run-up to the international break, having impressed when given his chance while Brice Samba was suspended. A quick turnaround between the American returning from duty with his country and Saturday’s trip to Blackpool, though, saw him on the bench at Bloomfield Road.
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And with Samba having done well in the 4-1 thumping of the Seasiders, he got the nod for the midweek clash. Barring anything unexpected, the odds will be on him staying there for the final eight games, too.
Asked about the selection call, Cooper said: “Just momentum, really. Just momentum, in terms of I thought he played well at the weekend and I thought the team had good fluidity against Blackpool.
“It was a great result on Saturday. I just thought we needed to keep going with it, that’s all.”
Samba repaid his manager’s faith by keeping a clean-sheet against Coventry. Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Garner clinched the three points, on a night when the hosts were not at their best but still found a way to win and go into the play-off places.
