If losing a huge relegation six pointer isn’t bad enough, losing a Manager and the very Head Coach who got you into the Premier League after 23 long years of failed attempts, would spell a disastrous double blow but thankfully that concern was quashed earlier today, by an astute owner in Evangelos Marinakis who understands his fans demands, and as history tells sacking Managers does not work this late in the season, he and Nottingham Forest have stood firm, Steve Cooper remains in charge, even after painful defeat at Leeds, the Reds now without a win in eight and sitting clear of relegation only by goal difference.
Anyone who was present during the 2-1 loss at Elland Road last night would not have been impressed. Forest failed on the road again and for the third successive match they blew a first half lead and came out with less than they intended, from winning positions this season, Forest have dropped a whopping twenty points.
There were spells in Leeds that suggest the team is not yet done, not many highlights, but credit the goal scored by Orel Mangala, a calm cool finish after neat approach play down the left, credit the performance of centre halves Felipe and Niakhate who’s last ditched defending spared further blushes, other than that, not a lot to shout about.
One Reds fans called a late night Radio phone in show and stated “Forest made Leeds look like Barcelona” but even he was adamant that Manager Cooper should remain. Overnight fans took to their phones to ask ‘if this is the end’ and on Twitter in particular, uploaded photos of that playoff final win last May.
But not even twelve months on from victory over Huddersfield at Wembley, Forest seventeenth and above the top tier drop zone, amazingly just three points off twelfth, ask a number of Reds fans after the summer turmoil that included a brand new squad being brought for hundreds of millions, I think many would have gladly taken that.
But fixtures now don’t look kind. Away at in form Aston Villa next this Saturday, followed by Manchester United (h) and Liverpool (a), if ever their was a time to step up and be counted, this is it.
Steve Cooper has tinkered and toyed and tactically he’s made mistakes, the Reds have often been naïve during second halves in matches this season, the Reds players, alarmingly haven’t been consistent or savvy enough, but the trust has to keep within, Forest at home are a different beast thanks to the hostility the fans provide in backing and the club have proven, at their best they can beat anyone on their day, if they can pick up some points on the road it would make life so much simpler.
Ask Cooper if he knows his best eleven, I doubt that he even does, but with injuries to key stars at key times this season, it’s been a tough and turbulent testing time, the first year back in the Premier League was never going to be straight forward was it?
But as the finish line nears, one objective is clear, Cooper is our Manager, Forest now need to show no fear… Staying up is primary goal, it’s certainly not an impossible mission, and having quashed the uncertainty, Marinakis can take some credit, allowing the team, players, and fans, to get on and come together, for one last push for survival.
*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).
*Main image @NFFC Steve Cooper for now has been given the vote of confidence by Marinakis.
