Steve Cooper reaction: Nott’m Forest boss admits tactical errors but wants more time to mould fresh team

Steve Cooper admits tactical errors cost his Nottingham Forest side in their 4-0 thumping at Leicester that saw them drop to the bottom of the Premier League table.

In a meeting of two under-pressure managers and their struggling teams, Brendan Rodgers celebrated at full-time after Leicester hit three in 10 first-half minutes – two from the outstanding James Maddison either side of Harvey Barnes’ curling strike.

Maddison then turned provider in the second half, teeing up substitute Patson Daka for the final blow.

It was enough to lift Leicester off the foot of the table at the expense of their East Midlands rivals, a much-needed success for Rodgers but another blow for Cooper, as Forest‘s difficult start continues.

Speaking after the game, Copper told BBC Sport: “It is another disappointing result, there’s no doubt. We weren’t good enough tactically in the first half. We came with a plan and we were nowhere near good enough in the duels which was disappointing.

“Should have gone 1-0 up, we had the chance of the game up until that point. But we are not getting good results at critical moments. And again we had a spell that took the game away from us.

“I thought we did better second half, and again we had another 1v1 where we could do better and maybe the game would have changed a bit. But we are not taking those critical moments and we are at a level where it really matters

“Without sounding too soft it is really difficult to be too critical of the group because it is a completely new group and we are finding out about ourselves, the job.

“The players never gave up. I’m not questioning their effort or work rate. There were times where I felt we could have been more competitive. But I’m not looking at these lads and thinking they don’t care. They are just a really fresh group trying to come together.”

Cooper planning for Villa clash

On the backing of fans, he added: “I’m really grateful. They have been incredible since my time here. I’m not thinking too much about myself. I’m thinking this is another poor result for this club I love, and that’s where my mindset is. It’s frustrating but we have to get over it.”

More doubts will emerge about Cooper’s future, and he added: “I completely understand the situation and the question and respect it 100%. But my concern is we have lost another game for this club, not my own situation because I care more about the club more than my personal circumstances. I refuse to criticise the players as a group as it a fresh challenge.”

On whether he will still be in charge for Forest’s next game against Aston Villa: “I will be planning [for the game]”.