The writing has been on the wall for sometime now. It was only a matter of time until Chris Cohen announced his retirement from the professional game. With three very serious anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the last four years or so, it's the sensible option for him to retire, despite being four or five years off of normal retirement age for footballers.
 |
| Cohen, applauding the Forest fans, following his final Forest appearance. |
It all began in May 2007. Forest played Yeovil Town in the League One Play-Off semi final. After the first leg in the south west, Forest led 2-0. What happened at the City Ground in the second leg will stick in the minds of Forest fans for a very long time. a 5-2 defeat on the night sent Forest out and Yeovil into the playoff final. Who was playing for Yeovil that night? Aaron Davies and Chris Cohen, the former scored a brace on the night, whilst the latter starred in midfield.
In July 2007, Forest completed the double signing of Aaron Davies and Chris Cohen for a fee of £1.2 million, following Yeovil's defeat in the play off final. He missed the start of that season due to injury, making his Forest debut in a 2-0 victory over Port Vale in October 2007. Singled out for praise by then manager Colin Calderwood for his involvement in the first goal, it was a sign of things to come, as it seemed every Forest manager that followed Calderwood also praised Cohen regularly. That season, Cohen was a virtual ever present, besides the first five games of the season. In doing so, he helped the club gain automatic promotion to the Championship.
The 2008-2009 season was another good season for Cohen, again being virtually ever present. This time in a relegation battle. Calderwood was replaced at Christmas by Billy Davies and the Scot continued to show faith in Cohen, saying "He's a player with a wonderful attitude, can play in several positions, has tremendous energy and has got outstanding ability."
In May 2010, following an impressive season, in which we finished 3rd in the Championship, behind only Newcastle and West Brom, Forest embarked on a playoff campaign. Chris Cohen scored the first goal of the semi final with an iconic goal. His dipping volley off the outside of his boot gave Forest the lead. Unfortunately, Forest didn't go up that year.
Cohen's picked up his first knee injury in September 2011, the midfielder himself admits it is probably his fault. Saying "I probably wasn't benefiting either myself or the team when I got injured. When I watched it back I've been out of position, trying to go after somebody else's man to win the ball back, leaving my man free." This was the case for two of his injuries. His commitment to Forest, being his own downfall, as he lunged into challenges, that would see him injured. Cohen, had to relearn parts of his game. He had to cut out diving into tackles, making smaller steps when decelerating instead of stopping suddenly, or pushing off his inside leg when turning instead of the outside. It was all about playing smarter, to protect his body.
The Essex born midfielder made his return to the Forest side almost a year later. Featuring in the league cup in August 2012, before making his first start soon afterwards, against Derby County. On the 23rd of November 2013, after impressing for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, Cohen picked up another injury to his knee. The recently appointed club captain limped off late in a 1-1 draw with Burnley. The diagnosis was another cruciate ligament injury. Looking back, he jokes "I must be the only person to have a 100% pass completion with a damaged cruciate. I thought I could play through it, made one pass and felt by knee wobble in the wind." This injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.
On July 11th, new Forest manager Stuart Pearce confirmed that Cohen would continue as club captain under his management. The midfielder started the first six league games of the season as Forest stormed to the top of the league. On the 14th of September, Forest faced Derby. As before Cohen over-committed and created another cruciate ligament injury, his third in three years.
Cohen made his return at the end of the 2015-16 season, making 15 appearances and scoring once on the last day of the season. The season that followed that saw Cohen make 20 appearances in the league, the season broken up by a groin injury around November time. He returned towards the tale end of the season and scored a pivotal goal in the final day of last season, helping to keep Forest in the league.
In January of this season, Chris Cohen was announced as under 23's assistant manager. Making his first steps into coaching with Forest. The club that worships him, the club that helped him keep his playing career alive. Cohen made his final appearance for Forest on the 28th April this year, coming on as an 89th minute substitute. He announced his retirement at the end of the game.
In July 2007, Forest completed the double signing of Aaron Davies and Chris Cohen for a fee of £1.2 million, following Yeovil's defeat in the play off final. He missed the start of that season due to injury, making his Forest debut in a 2-0 victory over Port Vale in October 2007. Singled out for praise by then manager Colin Calderwood for his involvement in the first goal, it was a sign of things to come, as it seemed every Forest manager that followed Calderwood also praised Cohen regularly. That season, Cohen was a virtual ever present, besides the first five games of the season. In doing so, he helped the club gain automatic promotion to the Championship.
The 2008-2009 season was another good season for Cohen, again being virtually ever present. This time in a relegation battle. Calderwood was replaced at Christmas by Billy Davies and the Scot continued to show faith in Cohen, saying "He's a player with a wonderful attitude, can play in several positions, has tremendous energy and has got outstanding ability."
In May 2010, following an impressive season, in which we finished 3rd in the Championship, behind only Newcastle and West Brom, Forest embarked on a playoff campaign. Chris Cohen scored the first goal of the semi final with an iconic goal. His dipping volley off the outside of his boot gave Forest the lead. Unfortunately, Forest didn't go up that year.
 |
| In 2011, during the East Midland's Derby, Cohen picked up his first knee injury. |
Cohen's picked up his first knee injury in September 2011, the midfielder himself admits it is probably his fault. Saying "I probably wasn't benefiting either myself or the team when I got injured. When I watched it back I've been out of position, trying to go after somebody else's man to win the ball back, leaving my man free." This was the case for two of his injuries. His commitment to Forest, being his own downfall, as he lunged into challenges, that would see him injured. Cohen, had to relearn parts of his game. He had to cut out diving into tackles, making smaller steps when decelerating instead of stopping suddenly, or pushing off his inside leg when turning instead of the outside. It was all about playing smarter, to protect his body.
The Essex born midfielder made his return to the Forest side almost a year later. Featuring in the league cup in August 2012, before making his first start soon afterwards, against Derby County. On the 23rd of November 2013, after impressing for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, Cohen picked up another injury to his knee. The recently appointed club captain limped off late in a 1-1 draw with Burnley. The diagnosis was another cruciate ligament injury. Looking back, he jokes "I must be the only person to have a 100% pass completion with a damaged cruciate. I thought I could play through it, made one pass and felt by knee wobble in the wind." This injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.
On July 11th, new Forest manager Stuart Pearce confirmed that Cohen would continue as club captain under his management. The midfielder started the first six league games of the season as Forest stormed to the top of the league. On the 14th of September, Forest faced Derby. As before Cohen over-committed and created another cruciate ligament injury, his third in three years.
Cohen made his return at the end of the 2015-16 season, making 15 appearances and scoring once on the last day of the season. The season that followed that saw Cohen make 20 appearances in the league, the season broken up by a groin injury around November time. He returned towards the tale end of the season and scored a pivotal goal in the final day of last season, helping to keep Forest in the league.
 |
| Cohen celebrates with the physio's who helped his recovery, and his team-mates, following his goal against Ipswich. |
In January of this season, Chris Cohen was announced as under 23's assistant manager. Making his first steps into coaching with Forest. The club that worships him, the club that helped him keep his playing career alive. Cohen made his final appearance for Forest on the 28th April this year, coming on as an 89th minute substitute. He announced his retirement at the end of the game.
Cohen is the kind of guy you want around your club. His commitment and dedication to the club makes him the perfect example for younger players coming through. His impact on the club is clear, as shown following his retirement as the entire squad paid homage to him during the lap of appreciation. I would love to see Cohen as Forest manager one day. I dare say most Forest fans will concur with this.
That's all for now.
Until next time....
Craig
