‘Not easy’ – Matt Turner’s response to struggles hailed as USMNT goalkeeper goes from Premier League villain to FA Cup penalty-saving hero at Nottingham Forest

The United States international arrived at the City Ground in the summer of 2023 looking to secure the regular game time that had been denied him at Arsenal. Inconsistency has prevented him from becoming a reliable option for Forest between the sticks, with a number of costly errors being made.

He has been dropped from Premier League plans on a couple of occasions as a result, with experienced Belgian shot-stopper Matz Sels brought in by Forest during the January transfer window in bid to tighten up at the back. Turner was, however, returned to the Reds’ starting XI for an FA Cup fourth-round replay with Bristol City.

He made a decisive penalty save in a shootout with the Robins, and Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said afterwards of seeing a tough character come good: “It has to give him confidence. We know it is not easy for him after the decision we took to change in the Premier League, but his response is of a top professional. We are so happy. It was tough but it was worth it. The attitude and the character to never give up makes me very happy. Everybody was involved. We congratulate them because this is the FA Cup and it’s so special. We are so happy and proud to continue in it and keep fighting. It is huge for us to fight for a trophy. With the history of this club we have to keep fighting and try to deliver. It is going to be a fantastic tie against Manchester United. But before that we have a lot of things to think about and prepare for.”

Turner will be hoping to figure in a fifth-round clash with United on February 28, but is likely to be left filling back-up duties in Premier League competition – with Sels set to reclaim his starting berth for a home date with Newcastle on Saturday.