Cohen relishing Hammers Cup tie

Last updated : 29 January 2011 By BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest midfielder Chris Cohen has more reason than most Forest fans and players to look forward to Sunday's FA Cup tie against West Ham.Cohen came through the ranks at Upton Park, was a Hammers fan growing up and they remain a club close to his heart.

Cohen, 23, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "My step dad's been going for 40 years and will be sitting in his normal seat.

"He said he'll be a Forest fan for one day and hopefully he won't get in any trouble if we score and he celebrates."

Cohen added: "It's nice for all my family. I've never been back there and I think we have a real good chance of winning it. We want to keep our fantastic form.

"I used to go most weeks to home games from the age of nine and 10. They were my team growing up and going back will be a nice little treat for me. Under Harry Redknapp was my first real memories and I got to see a lot of good players.

"I only played about 25 games coming off the bench [22 games in total - fours starts] but I was there for about 10 years, so it will be nice to see some of the people and coaches who are still there."

And although the Hammers have had a turbulent season at the wrong end of the Premier League, fuelling constant speculation about the future of manager Avram Grant, Cohen is confident they will avoid relegation.

"I know they are at the bottom at the moment and the fans expect a lot more but I think they will get out of trouble. They have bought a couple of good players in and I think they will be fine. It's just a shame that the off-field stuff has taken over the on-field stuff.

"You look at the league tables and we're four places behind them, or whatever it is. I know we are in the lower division but there is definitely a chance.

"We seem to be playing well away from home. Since the turn of the year we have really turned it on and we seem to be playing better away than we have been at home."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport