Joe Lolley has been tipped to thrive under new boss Steve Cooper by one of his former Nottingham Forest teammates.
Since picking up the reins at the City Ground, Cooper has encouraged a more attacking approach - one which has seen the Reds net seven goals during his first three games in charge.
That will suit Lolley and plays to his strengths, according to Ben Osborn, who has continued to keep in touch with the winger since he left Forest for Sheffield United in 2019.
The pair were close during their time together on the banks of the Trent, and Osborn knows more than most what makes Lolley tick, as well as the kind of form he is capable of showing.
Prior to Cooper’s arrival, it had been something of a slow start to the season for the Reds man, on the back of a couple of injury-disrupted campaigns. But he has looked like getting back to somewhere near his best in recent outings.
“I’m 100 percent sure he can get back to that kind of form,” Osborn told NottinghamshireLive.
“When I’ve spoken to him recently, he seems delighted with Steve Cooper. He says he’s already had quite a few chats with him and is really excited to get going.
“It’s probably what he needs. A bit of a fresh voice and fresh ideas. And maybe a bit more attacking impetus for Joe, because that’s where he does his best work.
“I think he’s looking forward to it.”
Lolley has said himself how Cooper is allowing him to play with more freedom compared to predecessor Chris Hughton.
He played a key role in helping Forest secure their first league win of the term at Huddersfield Town, when Steven Reid was in caretaker charge.
And he was in the starting XI for Cooper’s first two games, against Millwall and Barnsley, before being an unused substitute at Birmingham City prior to the international break.
“I was speaking to him the other day and he just said, sometimes he needs to remind himself that he’s actually a really experienced guy in the changing room now and a lot of the other lads will look up to him,” said Osborn, who was speaking at one of his Elite Football Development coaching sessions at Eastwood Community Football Club.
“That’s something he’s got to take on board and be a leader under this new manager.”
