Head coach Steve Cooper has welcomed the clarity provided by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ public backing of his position.
But he insists that is more because of what it can do for fans and players than for himself. In terms of his own situation and what his team need to do, Cooper says Wednesday’s statement hasn’t changed anything.
Amid talk about the Welshman’s future following an eight-match winless run, Marinakis moved to “end the speculation” by throwing his weight behind the manager. It is the second time this season the club have stood firm behind Cooper when the pressure has mounted.
READ MORE: Cooper sends heartfelt message after Forest fans' show of support
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Last October, when his job was also on the line after five straight defeats, rather than wield the axe, Marinakis presented the 43-year-old with a new contract. That decision prompted an upturn in fortunes for the Reds - something they would love a repeat of as the owner’s message came with a warning that results need to improve “immediately”.
“That is always the case,” Cooper said, on whether he fears the club’s stance could change if there is no turnaround in form. “That has been the case since I became a manager.
“I have never once in four seasons thought, 'I am alright, here'. Maybe for 10 minutes after the final whistle at Wembley, but then you quickly get into what you have got to achieve. That is hopefully the mindset of an achiever.
“Complacency is no good for anybody. But there has certainly been no time for complacency this season.
“I don’t think that (the statement) changes too much. That is just the life of a manager, that's just the job we all do.
"If it puts some clarity on the present day situation to whoever - supporters and players - then I think that’s a positive, however anybody may feel about the situation. But strip it back, we just need to win games from now until the end of the season. That always writes the narrative anyway. We’re all just really determined to attack these games in the best way we can and try to succeed.
“The most important thing is not to focus on my or any individual’s personal circumstances. I don’t really want to talk about myself. I would rather talk about the team, about the players and about the next game. In the end, that is the most important thing; it is what has the biggest impact on supporters and players.
“And it has the biggest impact on me, because I never feel so happy than when we win for this club, and it’s the opposite when we lose. When I have those feelings, it tells me how much this whole thing matters to me - and it does.”
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