Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Manchester City and Steve Cooper has explained how the squad reacted to Chris Wood afterwards. The Reds snatched a point from the champions after trailing to Bernardo Silva’s opening goal.
The Reds stood firm to claim a point that could prove huge at the end of the season. City did miss a host of chances but in the Premier League that can cost any team and Forest took their one chance.
Ederson between the City posts probably didn’t touch the ball with his gloves all afternoon. It’s a cruel world though and he can lay the blame on the forwards who missed a glut of opportunities.
Forest scored when Wood capped off a wonderful team move. The Reds played City at their own game and after a total of 19 passes, Morgan Gibbs-White played a lovely ball to Wood who couldn’t miss.
Cooper explains how Forest squad reacted to Wood goal
The 31-year-old has been forced to withstand some criticism from his own fans this week. Forest have made the move to sign him permanently a reality already and that hasn’t gone down too well.
This goal could be worth its weight in gold though. If Forest stay up by one point this strike by Wood will seem important and fans must now give him a chance.
Cooper told Nottinghamshire Live: “It’s brilliant for him. Any striker who joins a new club wants to get their first goal.
“I’m so pleased the supporters gave him the reception they did afterwards, and equally as pleased with the reception he got off the player when he came into the dressing room.
“He was last in because he had to do some media work and he got a massive round of applause. He’s only been here a few weeks but everyone can see how hard he works and how much he cares.”
Wood has cost Forest £15 million. He has signed a one-year deal with the club, with his permanent move from Newcastle kicking in during the summer.
There is more to come from the striker. The real challenge for Cooper is to discover how to get him scoring goals on a consistent basis.
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