Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Leigh Curtis

Roy Hodgson sends 'touching' Nottingham Forest message ahead of Crystal Palace finale

Roy Hodgson has heaped praise on Nottingham Forest and boss Steve Cooper for avoiding relegation from the Premier League and says the scenes after their win over Arsenal were "touching".

The Reds confirmed their top-flight status with victory over the Gunners last week amid a fine run that saw them take 10 points from their last five games.

Cooper's side now go into the final day of the season free of any anxiety and will look to sign off the campaign with an away win as they plot for a stress-free campaign next term.

READ MORE: Nottingham Forest goalkeeper sends promotion message as he prepares for another Wembley final

READ MORE: Nottingham Forest transfer plan set out as Steve Cooper points to key squad factor

Hodgson paid his respect to the Reds for the way they have defied some of the pundits and says Forest will be a tough examination.

“[Cooper] has done a very good job – in particular I think the last five games they have had an incredible upsurge in form,” Hodgson said. “They have taken 10 points from their last five games. That’s top-of-table form not avoiding relegation form.

“They have taken everyone by surprise at bottom who are fighting relegation, because many clubs thought they wouldn’t do that well. Hats off to him, hats off to his players and staff. It was very touching last weekend when they beat Arsenal and you saw the scenes after the game.

“It makes you realise how much staying in this league and doing well means to everyone, not just to your staff and people at the club but also to the fans.

“Congratulations to him. We know on Sunday if we want to finish the season well we will be facing tough opponents.”

What will the score be on Sunday? Have your say in the comments section.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.