Nottingham Forest have a “special” team spirit which can play a key part in their promotion push, according to new signing Nuno da Costa.
The Reds face a mouthwatering clash with rivals Leeds United at the City Ground on Saturday, as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Birmingham City.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are just four points ahead, after losing at home to Wigan Athletic saw them drop to second in the Championship table.
Da Costa could make his debut against the Whites, having made the move from Strasbourg, and says he has quickly settled in at Forest thanks to the tight-knit group which makes up the dressing room.
“It has helped a lot knowing a few of the players,” said the striker, who already knew Brice Samba and John Bostock.
“But they are a friendly group, so everyone is trying to take care of each other. We meet up outside of the club.
“It’s a little bit different to when I was in France - you’d come to work, do your job and go home. Some were your friends, some were not.
“But here, it is different. Everyone likes each other and it is easy to go and talk with each other, with no problem.
“It is really important to have that.
“Sometimes people are focused on the quality of players, but building a team is not easy.
“Teams like PSG buy a lot of players but cannot win the Champions League.
“Sometimes you have to focus on the team spirit first, before buying players.
“I think that’s something which can turn a good team into a special team. Then success will come more easily.”
Asked if he thought this Reds side is a special team, Da Costa added: “I think so.
“I hope we are going to get the right results at the right time to get to the Premier League.”
The 28-year-old Cape Verde international faces a fight for game time in the Garibaldi, with Lewis Grabban established as first-choice striker and Tyler Walker having been brought back from his loan spell at Lincoln City.
Da Costa, though, hopes he can provide head coach Sabri Lamouchi with a different option, but accepts he may have to bide his time.
“I think it’s normal,” he said of the competition for places up front. “It’s a normal part of football.
“You can only have 11 out on the pitch.
“I will just try to give the maximum I can give, and if it helps the team, that will be good.
“I enjoy that challenge.
“Everything in life is not easy, so that’s why we’re here.
“I think I can bring speed and a bit of technique.
“I just want to help the guys with my qualities, to get to the Premier League.
“Hopefully I can use the bit of experience I have with my previous club, like playing in the Europa League and everything I have acquired from my time there.”
