# Nottingham Forest: Can Steve Cooper Lead Them to European Football?
Nottingham Forest are no strangers to success. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Brian Clough led them to two European Cup victories. Now, with Steve Cooper at the helm, they are in a strong position to make a return to European football.
The club’s hierarchy may be targeting Premier League survival as the main priority after being involved in the relegation scrap for much of last term, but privately they will be daring to dream. With wins at home to Sheffield United and at Chelsea, Forest have made a healthy start to the season and a Monday night victory over Burnley at the City Ground could lift them to seventh in the table, just a solitary point behind West Ham in sixth.
## Shrewd Summer Signings
The club have made a number of shrewd summer signings, including Callum Hudson-Odoi, Divock Origi, Anthony Elanga, Matt Turner and Nuno Tavares. These signings have provided competition for every position in the side and if Taiwo Awoniyi stays healthy and among the goals, the future looks bright for Forest.
Awoniyi has been impressive with three goals in four league matches and is 5/1 with Betfair and Paddy Power to open the scoring against Burnley and 15/8 with the same firms to hit the net at any time. Forest will be too strong for Burnley, who are shipping goals at an alarming rate, and the hosts are 5/4 to win with BetUK.
## Daring To Dream
Cooper’s side are 66/1 with Bet365 and William Hill to finish the season as the top Midlands team, with Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League quest likely to take a domestic toll, and they are also worth a minimum bet at 5/1 with Betfred for a top-half finish.
No one is suggesting Forest are on the cusp of returning to those glory days four decades ago when Brian Clough twice led them to European Cup success, but current boss Steve Cooper is building a strong side that’s difficult to beat. If the infrastructure is sound, it’s not impossible for Forest to return to former glories.
With the right combination of talent, ambition and luck, Nottingham Forest could be surprise contenders for European football next season.