Fan experience has Cook up for promotion push
3PM STAR IN AWAY END
STEVE COOK is determined to help Nottingham Forest win promotion – after sitting in with the fans.
The defender was in the away end at Forest’s Championship defeat by Luton on Good Friday when nearing his comeback from an ankle injury.
Forest did not have much to shout about that day in a 1-0 loss, thanks to a penalty by Kal Naismith, below, but they bounced back with a 4-0 win over West Brom as Cook returned on Monday.
Steve Cooper’s side travel to Peterborough today on the back of that one defeat in 12 league games.
Cook says being among the Forest fans at Kenilworth Road has made him even more determined to help the club back to the Premier League for the first time since 1999.
The centre-back said: “I had never done it before.Apart from the result I really enjoyed it. It was either sit with the Luton fans or get in the mix with the Forest faithful.
“I am not sure I can repeat some of the fans’ one-liners but they were good value for money.
“Some people said maybe you shouldn’t go in with the away fans and take it easy and enjoy your day because you might take a bit of stick.
“A couple told me I should be a bit better on the ball but it was a good laugh and an eyeopener. I was praying we scored to experience the Forest roar.
“You hear a lot about away days and I experienced it minus the alcohol. I am sure it is a bit better with a few beers.
“The fans appreciated it and we are feeling it in the changing room how together we are as a club. It gave me a sense of how passionate they are and how much it means to them.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like for them if we get promoted. I am hoping I won’t be in the crowd come those games. If we do manage to get there it will be special.
“The fans deserve Premier League football. We are desperate to give that back. We are reaping the rewards of that passion.” Forest have second-placed Bournemouth to play in their last five games, but Cook feels automatic promotion is probably beyond the Reds.
He said: “A seven-point gap is difficult with so few games to play.We have to get in the play-offs first.”