Nottingham Forest are seeking a place in the Premier League thanks to Steve Cooper

At the time of Steve Cooper’s appointment in September, Forest were bottom of the Championship with one point in seven games under Chris Hughton.

Now, thanks to Steve Cooper, Nottingham Forest have secured a play-off place as they look to grasp a place in the Premier League. 

This just shows the progress and improvements that Cooper has made this season. Steve Cooper has done an unbelievable job at Forest and this is demonstrated by the league table. The Welshman has got the fans believing that this is there year to gain promotion and it’s fair to say Cooper has earned a place in the hearts of the supporters. 

Despite TalkSport pundit, Simon Jordan, saying that Steve Cooper would be a “perennial loser” if Cooper doesn’t achieve success in the play-offs at the third time of asking. Whatever happens in the coming week Forest fans can only be grateful for the position they are in compared to the start of the season. 

So, what has Cooper changed this season? 

First of all, the former Liverpool academy coach has created a feel-good atmosphere within the club. Not only with the players but also with the fans. Steve Cooper seems to get the supporters, you can see that in his Klopp-like fist-pump celebrations.  

This has been massive in the resurgence of Forest this season, to take a fan base where the club they support is bottom of the league and make them get behind their team every game is a massive credit to Cooper for being able to make this change.  

Cooper has also got the players behind him, his man-management has always been a strength of his and you can see that through the improvements of his players this season. For example, the former Forest manager, Chris Hughton, reportedly had doubts that Brennan Johnson was ready for the Championship. Steve Cooper backed him and the Wales international has gone onto win the Championship Young Player of the Season award by scoring 15 goals and providing nine assists.  

Another illustration of this would be right back Djed Spence. At the start of the season, he wasn’t getting played until the injury of Jordi Osei-Tutu allowed him to earn a place in the starting line-up. Since then, Cooper has developed Spence into one of the best young defenders outside of the top flight.  

The 41-year-old manager has not only got Forest competing in the Championship, but also against teams in the Premier League. In The FA Cup, we saw the Reds knock out recent winners Arsenal and Leicester City, as well as losing to Liverpool by only one goal.  

This shows that the Welshman has created a team that can compete with opposition of a higher calibre, which will set them up for good stead if they are able to gain promotion. 

Forest have been through a lot of managers in their quest to return to the top-flight and I believe they have got the manager to do it. Whether it’s this season or next they will return to the Premier League under Steve Cooper. 

 

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