Double awards joy for Forest

NOTTINGHAM Forest duo Steve Cooper and Brennan Johnson have both picked up awards after a stunning run of form in April.

But the Reds will be hoping the “Manager of the Month curse” doesn’t strike as they prepare to face Sheffield United in the play-offs. Cooper pipped Huddersfield Town’s Carlos Corberan, Swansea City’s Russell Martin and Gary Rowett, of Millwall, to the honour.

And Johnson was crowned Player of the Month. The Forest attacker beat off competition from Swans striker Joel Piroe, Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke and Huddersfield Town wing-back Harry Toffolo for the trophy.

The judging panel for the Manager of the Month award was made up of former Barnsley boss Danny Wilson, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman, English Football League communications director Mark Rowan and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies. And Goodman, Rowan and Davies decided the Player of the Month winner.

The Reds had put themselves in automatic promotion contention with a terrific run of results in April. They won seven of their eight games, beating Blackpool, Coventry City, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Peterborough United, Fulham and Swansea City, with a controversial 1-0 loss at Luton Town the only blot on their copybook.

Announcing Cooper’s nomination, it was said: “In the ever-competitive Championship, consistency is priceless, so Forest’s April record of seven wins from eight games with a 19-3 goal differential in their hunt for automatic promotion says everything about the mindset Cooper has created.”

And of Johnson, it said: “Whether it was his two clinical finishes at Blackpool or a superb cross to assist the only goal at Peterborough United, the dynamic Johnson displayed his growing maturity as he contributed four goals and four assists to the Forest charge.”