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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Mark Whiley

Michael Dawson defends Nottingham Forest approach after ‘ugly’ Jeff Stelling comment

Nottingham Forest hero Michael Dawson believes the arrival of Chris Wood will make the Reds more direct as they look to secure their Premier League status.

The veteran target man arrived from Newcastle United on loan last month with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer if certain conditions are met before the end of the campaign.

Wood was part of the team which battled to a precious 1-0 win over Leeds United last weekend thanks to Brennan Johnson’s early strike. Ahead of today’s game at Fulham, Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling branded the win “ugly” as he asked pundit Dawson for his thoughts on the Reds’ revival under Steve Cooper.

MATCH COVERAGE: Fulham v Forest matchday live - team news & updates

READ MORE: Newcastle player has Forest transfer 'hope' after shock move

Stelling said: “Daws, you’re Nottingham Forest. They’ve learnt to win ugly, haven't they? And oh boy, was it ugly against Leeds.”

Dawson defended the approach, replying: “Steve Cooper won’t mind. Of course he wants to play the right way, passing the ball out from the back. But early on in the season he wasn’t getting the results by playing the way he played that got [them] to the Premier League.

“He’s got to change, [because it’s] a different level, a different calibre of players. I think the signing of Chris Wood has influenced that, a little bit more direct if they have been.

“They’re attacking threats are up the field. And how do you start that? You saw last week with Brennan Johnson’s great finish. They hadn’t touched the ball until then.”

Are you happy for Forest to win 'ugly'? Tell us in the comments section

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