Steve Cooper says his Nottingham Forest side are “making an identity” after Brennan Johnson’s goal earned them victory over Leeds.
Forest finished second in the first half, but Johnson’s sublime 14th-minute strike was enough to move them six points clear of the relegation places.
After Leeds failed to clear a free-kick down the right, the ball bounced off the edge of the box for Wales to rifle into the bottom corner.
“I was disappointed with my football today. We are thinking about how we can improve,” Cooper told JEE News.
“We’re building an identity, we’re building a team. We’ve been doing it since the summer … step by step.”
The hosts were indebted to debutant goalkeeper Keylor Navas, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, who made key saves in the first half from Wilfred Gannett, Luke Ayling and Luis Sinestra, who gave Leeds the lead from six yards out. Best opportunity provided. outside
Leeds’ threat faded in the second period and Forest held on comfortably with a third victory in five Premier League games, moving up to 13th in the table.
“The first half for us was just about Keller’s saves and Brennan’s individual moments of finishing,” Cooper told JEE News Match of the Day.
“We’re obviously very happy with the win. I’m not really happy with the performance and it’s my job to reflect on that. I don’t think just thinking about the win is enough for the elite. But we do it. they know.”
Jess Marsh’s leads, meanwhile, have gone seven league games without a win and sit 17th, just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Navas showed his class on his Premier League debut
Among Forest’s 29 signings since the start of last summer, Navas – a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – was perhaps the biggest name.
He quickly showed why he is so highly rated, racing off his line and quickly getting down to deny Sinestra within the first two minutes.
Forest struggled to get going at Leeds in the first half and were just a few away from the halfway mark, and while the visitors did not lay siege to Navas’ goal, the Costa Rican was there to make a number of key interventions when called upon. was present. On
Ayling and Gonto had goalbound efforts pushed back and the former also saw his header deflected across goal away from the clutches of a waiting Patrick Bamford from Navas.
