What is it about the relationship between Steve Cooper and Andre Ayew that works? If you listen to the new Nottingham Forest signing, it is down to the head coach putting him through his paces in the cold and wet.
Cooper has always pushed Ayew, according to the forward. That's how he got the best out of him at Swansea City, by "demanding" even more from him.
It was a tactic which yielded 35 goals in 84 appearances when the pair worked together in south Wales. And having signed for the Reds last week as a free agent, after leaving Al Sadd, Ayew is confident it can bear fruit again.
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“It’s great to be back working with the boss, and at this historic club. It’s a great feeling," said the Ghana international, who made his debut in the Garibaldi when he came off the bench in last weekend's win over Leeds United.
“We had a really good relationship at Swansea. He was very hard on me, but he is a top manager, I’ve always said that.
“I know what he brings to the table, what he brings to a team and to a squad - the belief, the tactical play and the mentality. For me, it was great to get back working with someone who I know and who knows my abilities on and off the pitch, that was important for me.
“He’s always been hard on me and demands a lot from me. That’s been the same throughout my career, a lot of managers have demanded a lot from me. I’ve always tried to do that bit of extra work for the team.
“If you’re on the pitch and you try to help your colleagues to win games, show your ability, then the manager demands a bit more. When it’s not going the right way, they demand even more!
“I mean he was hard on me in a good way - like pushing me to do better; looking at my stats and wanting more. He pushes me to be a better player and to push the other players.
“We had a great bond at Swansea. But that was a whole different squad - it was younger players with a different goal, a different dream, so it was a different way of working together.
“Here, at Forest, we have experienced players, players who know the Premier League, players who have played abroad, players who have played here, international players, so it’s a different squad.
“Our aim is to keep our Premier League status. Hopefully, come the end of the season, we’ll still be a Premier League club."
Asked if he can remember a specific example of Cooper being tough on him, Ayew teased: “There were a few. I can’t really remember. But he was difficult with me, especially in training when it’s freezing and raining and he’s asking me to run everywhere and slide and stuff. There were a few moments."
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