Steve Cooper is looking to secure his third Premier League win as Leicester City manager when he faces former club Nottingham Forest this week.
What a difference a few games can make for a club’s season. After winning promotion back to the Premier League, their early-season form suggested Leicester City were set for a swift return to the Championship.
Pressure was mounting on Steve Cooper after he failed to win any of his opening six Premier League fixtures as the Foxes boss.
However, Leicester beat Bournemouth 1-0 prior to the international break to give the former Forest man some much-needed breathing space ahead of having a couple of weeks off.
Then, upon their return to action, Leicester beat Southampton 3-2, coming from 2-0 down to secure a massive three points against a relegation rival.
It was a sensational comeback that, in no small part, came about due to Cooper’s substitutes on the day.
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Steve Cooper must start two Leicester City players vs Nottingham Forest
Southampton did go down to 10 men during the clash but it was substitute Abdul Fatawu who really turned the game on its head.
Leicester fans heaped praise on Fatawu for his display, which included providing an assist and playing a key role in the equaliser on Saturday.
Harry Winks also shone during the clash after replacing former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Oliver Skipp at the base of midfield.
Now, speaking on the When You’re Smiling: A Leicester City Podcast, The Athletic’s Rob Tanner told Cooper that both Winks and Fatawu have ‘got to start’ vs Nottingham Forest.
He said: “When he’s at the top of his game, we were saying this all last season, we can’t wait to see Fatawu in the Premier League.
“We already know Winks can do it and I think, looking at those two in particular, I think they’ve got to start Friday night because you imagine the confidence those two have got and not just those but their teammates of them being in the lineup for Friday night against a huge game in Forest, local Derby.
“Listen after that win, those late wins can give you so much, they really can. So we’re going into the game now dreading it, we’re going into the game looking forward to it with a lot of confidence behind us I think.”
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Leicester City still yet to see best of Abdul Fatawu in Premier League
While Fatawu shone against Southampton, there is a feeling that the Leicester fans are still yet to see the best of the winger in the top flight.
The 20-year-old still has plenty of time to reach his true potential and has not started a league game since the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in gameweek three.
However, he still has two assists in eight appearances and after impressing over the weekend, Cooper will surely now have to start Fatawu in the clash with Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Cooper’s former side are flying high in the Premier League and it will likely take a moment of magic from a player like Fatawu to see Leicester get anything out of the game.