Jack Colback has been one of many success stories of Steve Cooper's impact at Nottingham Forest.

The 32-year-old spoke of his acceptance that he was going to be dropped by Chris Hughton at the start of the season and how Cooper addressed that issue when he spoke to The Athletic.

Colback said: "My situation has changed massively in a few months. I started the first few games but I always felt I would be out of the side if the manager had an opportunity, regardless of how I played.

"When the new manager came in I had a chat and it felt as though he wanted to get an idea of my situation. He was looking at it and asking why I had barely kicked a ball.

"I just told him it was one of those situations — certain types of manager aren’t really having me as a player, which is fine." he added.

Cooper came in with a reputation for developing younger players so to be getting so much from an out of favour senior professional like Colback has come as a pleasant surprise.

Colback is a great role model for aspiring younger players like Ryan Yates and James Garner passing on his knowledge and experience from making 178 Premier League appearances in years gone by.

The Verdict

Forest have a host of exciting younger players in their squad, but guided by the senior heads of Colback, Joe Lolley and Gaetan Bong they should be able to keep top six dreams alive deep into this campaign. The gap is currently just six points to the play-off places a third of the way through the season which considering the Reds' terrible start is very good going.

Cooper was able to get Andre Ayew onside and have him performing as one of the best players in the division after looking demotivated before the Welshman's appointment at Swansea City. It should not be a surprise to see Cooper's man management skills reaping rewards once again as Forest continue to put their best foot forward.