Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper admits he has been left with an “awkward decision” over who should play in goal for the remaining nine games of the season.
Brice Samba had previously been first-choice between the posts, until a three-match suspension paved the way for Ethan Horvath to stake his claim for the spot. And the latter had held down his place for the last seven games prior to the international break.
A short turnaround period between being on duty with the USA and linking back up with the Reds, along with the effects of jet-lag, saw Horvath on the bench at Blackpool on Saturday, however. And Samba made some good saves as he took his opportunity to impress again, in an emphatic 4-1 win for the visitors.
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Asked if he saw the situation as having a clear No.1 and No.2, Cooper told NottinghamshireLive: “It’s an interesting situation now, I won’t dodge that one. I think you’ve just got to take Saturday in isolation.
“You always have to do what’s right for the team. As well as Ethan has done for us - and he has - one, we really wanted him to get back in the US squad and qualify for the World Cup, because what an honour that is. But two, with them playing as late as they did and coming back from where they were (Costa Rica), and the time difference and the flight, for me, what was right for the team was that Brice played.
“Brice had had his two weeks’ training, he’s been excellent, we know how good he is anyway and he was ready to play. It was just a clear decision, and one that Ethan fully accepted.
“It 100 percent gives me a decision to make. But it’s a good decision, and a good situation.
“We believe in three of our keepers. Don’t underestimate the role Jordan Smith plays in that area as well, especially having been here 20 years - he plays a massive part, as well as Danny Alcock.
“It’s a good situation. I know there’s decisions to be made. But I’d much rather have that decision to make in positions - like we’ve got Grabbs (Lewis Grabban) back now and Scott (McKenna) was back in the mix, then there’s Cookie (Steve Cook) and Max (Lowe) when they are back.
“I prefer those difficult conversations, or awkward decisions, than not. You look at the lads on the bench - Joe Lolley, Alex (Mighten), Cafu, Loic (Mbe Soh) - everybody is ready to play.
“Training had been excellent in the international break, because it was a chance to train. The hope was the players would take that into the game, and fortunately they did.”
