AliousNottingham Forest struggled to contain Fulham during their 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage on Saturday, and they could have benefited from the presence of a familiar defensive figure who was spotted in the crowd.
Forest’s inability to deal with aerial threats proved costly, with both of Fulham’s goals coming from headers—a frustrating outcome for Nuno Espirito Santo, who had opted for a back-five formation. This same setup had earned praise from Brian Laws during the festive period, particularly in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton. However, against Fulham, something was clearly missing.
Midfield struggles may have contributed to the defensive lapses, with Danilo receiving criticism from Forest fans as he continues to regain sharpness following an injury layoff. However, the bigger disappointment came at the back, where the three centre-halves were caught out for Emile Smith Rowe’s opening goal, as he slipped in unmarked to nod the ball home.
Conceding from a corner added to the frustration, with Murillo and his defensive partners likely disappointed by their inability to command the box. As Forest fans watched their team struggle in aerial battles, some might have glanced into the crowd and wondered how a former club favorite—known for his no-nonsense defending—would have handled the situation.
### Steve Cook Spotted Watching Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic had drawn comparisons to Arsenal’s backline earlier this season, but alongside Morato, they struggled to impose themselves against Fulham. Watching from the stands was ex-Forest defender Steve Cook, who was once a key figure in the squad that achieved Premier League promotion under Steve Cooper.
Cook, now at Queens Park Rangers, shared a caption on social media that read, *“Behind enemy lines,”* highlighting his enduring connection to Forest despite his departure in 2023. The Englishman has remained a vocal supporter of the club in the media, even predicting that they would finish in the Premier League’s top half during the 2023/24 campaign—a testament to his belief in the squad’s potential.
Since leaving Forest in search of more regular playing time, Cook has flourished at QPR, proving his value in Championship battles. His physicality and aerial dominance could have been exactly what Espirito Santo’s side needed as they struggled to defend set pieces at Craven Cottage.
### Steve Cook’s Resurgence at Queens Park Rangers
Despite being left out of Forest’s Premier League squad by Cooper, Cook remained professional and continued to train diligently. His dedication paid off at QPR, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award in his debut season, helping them avoid relegation with his leadership and commanding defensive displays.
This season, Cook has started 28 games for the R’s, boasting a tackle success rate of 77.8% and allowing dribblers past him just 0.12 times per match—numbers that highlight his defensive solidity.
Reflecting on his time at Forest, Cook has admitted he wished he had played a bigger role but never caused a stir behind the scenes. Under different circumstances, he might have been a more prominent figure in Cooper’s plans.
Nevertheless, Cook’s commitment and leadership left a lasting impression on Forest fans, many of whom would have been delighted to see him in the stands supporting the team, despite the disappointing result.
Alious
