Your Nottingham Forest digest for Thursday, April 6.
Evangelos Marinakis makes Steve Cooper statement
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has made a statement about Steve Cooper, seemingly ending speculation over the manager’s future.
It had been claimed on Wednesday that Cooper was set to be sacked, after Tuesday night's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Leeds United left the Reds above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
But Marinakis has made it clear Cooper remains Forest's manager. “No one denies that our Club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest,” he said, in a statement.
READ MORE: Evangelos Marinakis sent 'Proud to be a Forest fan' message after Steve Cooper statement
READ MORE: Cooper sends message to Nottingham Forest fans after 'letting them down' with defeat
Forest and Daniel Podence charged by FA
Daniel Podence has been charged by the FA after the Wolves winger allegedly spat at Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson.
Forest have also been charged with failing to control their players for their reaction to a potential handball from Wolves defender Nelson Semedo being waved away by referee Chris Kavanagh.
The Reds were part of a controversial clash with Wolves at the City Ground last weekend. Forest assistant Alan Tate, alongside Wolves coach Pablo Sanz, were both shown red cards after clashing on the touchline, following Wolves’ appeals for a penalty. The pair have both been charged as well.
Cooper is someone for Nottingham Forest to get behind
By mid-morning #CooperIn was trending on social media. Nottingham Forest fans were making their voices heard.
Just as they did at the City Ground last Saturday. Just as they did last October, when Steve Cooper’s job had also been under threat. Just as they have all season, in fact.
The Reds’ best bet of staying up comes from the unity at the club. It is their biggest strength and greatest asset. A not-so-secret weapon not all of their relegation rivals share. And at the heart of it is Cooper. Since he stepped through the doors 18 months ago, he has galvanised the fanbase and instilled a togetherness which has helped get the club to where they are now - in the Premier League.
Villa set to be without four players for Forest clash
Aston Villa could be without four players ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Reds will head to Villa Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off) looking to put their defeat to Leeds United behind them and get back to winning ways. However, there is set to be a surprisingly upbeat atmosphere among the travelling Forest fans after owner Evangelos Marinakis confirmed that Steve Cooper would be remaining as manager .
Forest are in desperate need of three points as the team have gone eight games without a win and sit perilously above the bottom three on goal difference. Cooper’s side have recorded only one win on the road this season but could be handed a boost from Villa, who currently have four players on the sidelines.
