Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper said that the fans were the team’s motivation to bounce back from a run of bad results ahead of the game vs Aston Villa. The game was played out in front of a packed-out City Ground, and after the game, Yates said that the supporters were one of the reasons the team were so desperate to bounce back from a disappointing result. The midfielder also sent a warning to teams visiting the City Ground this season.
Steve Cooper said: “It was about doing it for the fans. Do it for everyone connected to the club that got us back into the Premier League and we don’t want to be putting on many performances like that. It was about giving a good performance and I think we showed that. I think we showed massive togetherness. The City Ground and Nottingham Forest are at their best when the fans are committed to the players on the pitch and they were tonight from minute one. When there is a buzz here, it makes it difficult for teams to come and play here.”
Yates wasn’t the only Forest man who praised the fans for their support, with Steve Cooper also using the fans as motivation for the players.
Steve Cooper said: “I said to the players before the game that these supporters are incredible. What they have given us at this moment is something that makes us want to give something back. They were brilliant again. They helped us a lot, from start to finish.”
