When givemefootball's Mark Shail interviewed Matty Lockwood just a few short months ago he was battling to overcome an ankle injury and hoping to be fit for the start of Leyton Orient's season. However, things have changed dramatically for the 30-year-old since then after he agreed to join League One title favourites Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee. For many years now, Lockwood has been linked with a move to a bigger club but now he's finally got his chance and is hoping to make the most of it. Forest boss Colin Calderwood made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Lockwood in January but finally got his man when the two clubs agreed a fee a couple of weeks ago.
Q:DID THE MOVE COME OUT OF THE BLUE?
A:I suppose you could say that. I knew they wanted to sign me in January but I wasn't really expecting them to come back in for me again this summer. I think the reason why I didn't join in January was because Forest weren't prepared to pay the fee Orient were asking but this time round they managed to agree a deal.
Q:WAS IT TOUGH LEAVING ORIENT AFTER NINE YEARS?
A:It was difficult because Orient had become almost like my second home, plus the fact that I was only 12 months away from being awarded a testimonial. In that respect, I was giving up a lot financially by moving to Forest but I knew it could be one of my last chances to play for a bigger club. But from a football point of view, I it was the correct decision.
Q:ALTHOUGH ORIENT AND FOREST ARE IN THE SAME DIVISION, THEY ARE MILES APART IN THE FOOTBALL SPECTRUM, AREN'T THEY?
A:Yes they are miles apart. With all due respect to Orient, this is a proper football club. Everything here is done right, and it’s the little things that you notice the most. For example, for as long as I can remember I have taken my own training kit home and washed it myself but here it is all done for you and laid out neatly in the changing rooms.
Q:HOW IS YOUR ANKLE NOW?
A:It's still giving me a little bit of discomfort but I haven't missed any training since I signed, so hopefully it's going to be fine. At this stage of my career I suppose you have to put up with a few aches and pains and sometimes you have to grin and bear it and just get on with things.
Q:WAS THERE A SITUATION WHERE YOUR INJURY EVER JEOPARDISED THE DEAL?
A:No I don't think so. I had two MRI scans this summer, one in May and another in June and Forest got their specialists to have a look at both of them. They put the problems I was having down to a bit of scar tissue that most players get at my age and they were quite happy to give the transfer the green light.
Q:I SUPPOSE YOU NOW HAVE TO GET USED TO THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THE FOREST FANS?
A:Yes, there is a big contrast in terms of the supporters’ expectations when you compare Orient and Forest. At Orient we would have considered a top half finish as a success next season, whereas the Forest fans not only expect us to win promotion, but to win the league as well. But that was the kind of challenge I wanted. When I finish my career I want to look at myself in the mirror and say I went to Forest for the right reasons. I came here because I want to be part of a team challenging for medals and to get the chance to play in the Championship.
