Dancing in the dressing room and injured players joining in the celebrations show just how strong Nottingham Forest’s team spirit is, according to Serge Aurier.
After the challenges which came with a summer overhaul and adapting to life in the Premier League, the Reds are starting to build some momentum. Saturday’s victory over Leicester City made it eight unbeaten at the City Ground in all competitions and lifted them to 13th in the table.
Injured duo Jesse Lingard and Cheikhou Kouyate were both watching on at the weekend. And Emmanuel Dennis had posted a video on Instagram of the former throwing some shapes with Aurier and Morgan Gibbs-White in the changing room after Wolverhampton Wanderers had been beaten in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday night.
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A clip has also emerged on social media of Lingard hugging Steve Cook, who was an unused substitute against the Foxes, and head coach Steve Cooper as Brennan Johnson netted his second of the afternoon. Right-back Aurier, who was one of 22 arrivals in the summer, says it all points to the tight-knit nature of the group - with the new players at the heart of that.
“It is a changing room thing,” he said of the post-match dancing. “I think we need to stay in this positive mood.
“When we win, of course it is easy to celebrate. We have to keep this moment with everyone and the best is coming if we stay like this in a good way.
“You see the mentality of the team. We have two or three players injured but they come and they celebrate with the team. That is our team mentality, and we need to stay in the Premier League. I think we are in a good way and we have to keep this mentality.
“Everyone has a good attitude. Some players don’t play but they give a smile after the win and help the team and speak in the changing room. That is the mentality that we need.
“The manager sees this energy and knows he can put anyone in the team because they are ready. For me, that is perfect.
“I am a player, so I know sometimes if you don’t play you are hungry. But when you see players who don’t play, on the pitch enjoying it together, that is the best thing.
“It is not easy for the manager this season with a lot of players coming in. You have to pick the starting XI every week and people think it is easy, but it is not.
“Now we are in a good way and they think it is normal, but it is not normal. I think we work for this and the manager works for this.
“It was difficult when we started but now we suffer together and fight together and enjoy together. That is the best feeling for me.”
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