Steve Cooper sends clear message as Nottingham Forest move into play-off spots

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper played down moving into the play-off places as a result of a 2-0 win over Coventry City.

Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Garner saw off the Sky Blues at the City Ground. And the three points moved the Reds into fifth spot.

The result also made it nine league games unbeaten for Forest. They have eight left to play, and hold at least one in hand on most of their rivals.

“I think what is important at this stage of the season is that we don’t get too caught up in chasing results,” said Cooper. “Of course we want to win, that’s always the most important thing.

“But we have to focus even more now on how we play. In the end, that’s how we will win games.

“We can’t think too much about the league position going into games. We’ve just got to think about being ready for the next game, committing to it, hopefully having the right plan and delivering it.

“It doesn’t count for anything being in the top-six today. We’ve still got eight games left. It’s where you end up after 46 that is the important one.

“I’m just really pleased we’ve won. I knew it was going to be a tough game, and it was.

“In my head, it’s just that we’ve got Birmingham on Saturday. They’ve had a free week, they had a good win against West Brom last week, we’ve got two days before we’ve got to go again, and we’ve got to be 100 percent ready.”