Chris Sutton has been explaining whether or not he thinks Steve Cooper should be sacked by Nottingham Forest.
The pundit grew up supporting the Reds and now Sutton has had his say on the reports that have emerged concerning Forest.
Ever since Forest relinquished yet another lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton, reports have suggested that Cooper is now under pressure.
Sutton delivers verdict on Cooper
It’s fair to say that right now it would be a universally unpopular decision to sack Cooper at this moment.
Forest are eight points clear of the relegation zone and are tantalisingly close to being a mid-table outfit.
The throwing away of leads is doing the head coach no favours though. Forest have now dropped 11 points from positive positions during 2023/24.
Sutton isn’t sure that Cooper should be leaving Forest, however, and has praised the manager for the work he’s done.
He told the It’s All Kicking Off podcast: “These stories about Steve Cooper, I mean a lot of these stories they come out because of the owner’s reputation and the owner’s past and the owner being an owner who doesn’t mess about. He wants instant success.
“With his background of firing managers and his past history, you absolutely could say he’s been patient with Cooper. I’m saying the opposite but look at his track record of firing managers.
“On the face of things, I mean Nottingham is a city I was born in and used to support Forest as a kid, but the job he’s done in difficult circumstances, the connection which Steve Cooper has with the fan base, since Clough has there been a manager who has that connection that Cooper has with the fan base?”
Forest have to stick with Cooper
You can undress the current form whichever way you like and it’s not unfair to say that it’s frustrating that Forest keep losing leads.
However, the Reds are just 18 months into being a Premier League club for the first time in 23 years.
Cooper is the man who has revived the club’s fortunes on the pitch and he deserves a chance to try and arrest the current form.
The Reds face Everton, Fulham and Wolves next and that represents three good opportunities to get some points.
The trio of fixtures should all be overseen by Cooper and Marinakis would be wise to stay calm for a little while longer.
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