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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Steve Cooper reveals what Keinan Davis said to him after Nottingham Forest brace

Tutoring from injured Nottingham Forest striker Lewis Grabban has paid dividends for Keinan Davis.

The on-loan Aston Villa man bagged a brace as the Reds thumped Reading 4-0 at the City Ground to move within two points of the play-off spots.

And afterwards, boss Steve Cooper revealed how Davis' first strike came following mentoring from Grabban over goal-poaching in the penalty area.

He had opened the scoring with less than 20 seconds on the clock, latching on to a Djed Spence cross, showing a good touch and a neat turn before firing home.

He added a brilliant second after the break, with Ryan Yates and Sam Surridge also getting on the scoresheet to complete the rout in a fine second half from the hosts.

"It was a brilliant start to the game - not just the fact we scored, but how we scored. We showed good intent," said Cooper.

"We know we fell short then for the rest of the first half, in terms of performance levels. It became a fairly even game.

"We wanted to be a better team than we were in the first half.

"We needed half-time. I read the tone of the half-time - I was ready to gee the lads up, but I could see from the way they were talking to each other about themselves, that they did it themselves. It was just a reminder of the team that we want to be and how we want to play. They knew they fell short in the first half.

"But second half, we were the team we want to be. The game was played in Reading's half, we were good in brave in positions, we moved the ball a lot quicker and we played more as a team. I really felt the second goal was coming.

"How it came was brilliant from Keinan.

"The third and fourth goals were equally good moves.

"We played as a team in the second half and were getting good numbers in dangerous positions. We know we've got the technical ability to score.

"The three lads who came off the bench made a massive contribution as well.

"Out of all of the goals, probably the one which really pleases me is Keinan's first, because of where he is. We've been doing a lot of work with him - and Grabbs has been doing a lot of work with him as well - about that instinct in the box.

"Lewis has got that know-how.

"The first thing Keinan said to me afterwards was, 'Grabbs' about the first goal."

What did you make of Forest's performance? Have your say in the comments below

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