Head coach Steve Cooper thanked Nottingham Forest fans for their support during some tough times as the Reds boosted their survival hopes with a crucial victory.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal clinched a 1-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary’s and lifted Forest out of the relegation zone, up to 15th place. It was their first Premier League victory on the road this term, and only the second time they have found the back of the net.
Supporters had travelled in numbers, making the long trip on a Wednesday night so soon after Christmas. A packed-out away end came across loud and clear as they got behind the team throughout, and they were rewarded with the return of the Cooper fist-pumps at the end.
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“Thank you to the fans. They are amazing. They deserve that,” the Welshman told the BBC after the final whistle.
“That was for all of our fans, especially the ones who travel all around the country. I know not everyone can get a ticket, so that’s for the ones who are supporting us from home as well.
“Our fans are always brilliant. But they have been at their very best when times have been a bit tough. That means a lot to me; more than people will know. For them to get that and see the players commit is the least they deserved.”
The Reds had been in the bottom three since falling 3-2 at home to Bournemouth at the start of September. That defeat came amid a five-match losing run, during which Cooper was on the verge of losing his job.
Since being thumped 4-0 by Leicester City, however, Forest have lost just three times in the league. They are now two points above 18th-placed Everton.
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