Nottingham Forest are closing in on their second sign of the January transplant window, with Steve Cook set to put penitentiary to composition. topic to passing a medical, the defender is expected to make the motion to the City Ground as a spare remove from Bournemouth, joining on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The throw will bring an end to Cook ’ s decade-long association with the Cherries, having experienced two promotions and racked up about 400 appearances on the south slide. We got the lowdown from DorsetLive Bournemouth reporter Jacob Tanswell on what the Reds can expect as the centre-back prepares to head Trentside …

Sounds like Steve Cook has ‘legend’ status at Bournemouth. How would you sum up his time there? It was on October 27, 2011 Cook first joined the golf club on an initial loanword share, and around this clock 10 years ago he signed permanently. Since then he has become, decidedly, one of Bournemouth ‘s most iconic figures. He has been a constant from the lower League One days to their bill Premier League times. His connection with the fans – where he would make regular contributions to charities and, during lockdown, regular phone calls – is credibly alone. It may sound over the top, but he is immortalised into legend in Dorset. It was a fairytale travel.

What kind of defender is he? What are his strengths and weaknesses? What can Forest expect from him? Again it depends on the coach, but he ‘s pretty well-versed in all areas. Under Eddie Howe, Cook was a ball-playing left-sided cardinal defender, tasked with building the play through the thirds. however, his foremost job is to defend, and as seen recently against Fulham, he loves it. Under Jason Tindall and Jonathan Woodgate, his game became more hardheaded, but it ‘s largely down to what they asked of him. In terms of weaknesses, Cook, like most central defenders, can look vulnerable one-v-one against highly technical players, and if shown on to his forget side, can be pressured effectively. But overall, Forest fans should expect inerrable consistency and silence, but meaning, leadership – he was n’t the most marked of captains but when he offered advice, the younger players would tend to listen.

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Steve Cooper is very keen on fielding a back three, with defenders being comfortable on the ball and able to play out from the back. Would Cook fit into that? Howe would flit in and out of a back three, while Tindall used it throughout the season. Cook by and large played in the middle of the back three and, when he ‘s amply confident, has an excellent crossfield passing, from the right to the forget. If there is space in front of him he will drive into it, and unsurprisingly after eight years under Howe, is never afraid to receive the ball in brash areas. What will he be like in the dressing room? He’s got plenty of experience, so is he a natural leader? As I touched on earlier, Cook ‘s leadership traits are slightly more nuanced. While the 30-year-old is secure of mixing his choice of words when the situation necessitates, he often prefers a more subtle approach. particularly in the Premier League, where the spotlight on some was magnified, Cook would offer players regular guidance on the do and don’ts aside from the pitch. This would include reminding some of their levels of professionalism, advising younger team-mates on side-stepping issues that will inevitably rear their fountainhead and, quite just, proving a sounding board to some .

Steve Cook in action for Bournemouth
( image : Getty )
He hasn’t played much this season, was there anything behind that – and can you see him being able to play a big part for Forest in the second half of this season? I think the write was on the wall before Scott Parker joined. Cook was one of the higher earners at the golf club and Bournemouth were looking for ways to trim the engage budget. With the emergence of Lloyd Kelly, they took the school of think that Cook was n’t quite equally needed as years gone by. There were chances to leave in the summer but none which appealed to Cook or his family. The relationship between Parker and him has remained respectful and by the sounds of things, his professionalism has been faultless. Forest spirit resurgent under Steve Cooper, and particularly in these critical months, having an know player like Cook should undoubtedly help. You alone have to look to when he came in from the cold last month for three matches – most notably against then-league leaders Fulham. Bournemouth were hamstrung by injuries and Cook about led them to victory. He was credibly their best player on the pitch that night. We’ve teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to nominate their favourite results – the games which were much more than a score. Nominate the match that mattered to you here

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