Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Steve Cooper’s side battle to draw at Molineux

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper said he is proud of his team after they battled out a draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The draw at Molineux comes on the back of a 5-0 defeat by Fulham on Wednesday and Forest have only won one of their past 12 games, leaving them four points above the relegation zone.

And despite a spirited display from his side on Saturday to end a run of four straight losses, Cooper’s position remains under threat.

The Forest manager was visibly emotional as he thanked the away fans after full-time, waving and thumping his chest.

“I’m proud of the team, to be honest,” Cooper told BBC Match of the Day. “It’s a game we should have won in terms of chances.

“If we were to look at the game in isolation, you would see it’s a more than satisfactory day in terms of performance and a point on the road.

“We are disappointed and frustrated we haven’t won but equally we’re satisfied with the performance.

“Then you get the context of stopping the losing run, of some of the noise that’s been around that definitely hasn’t come into the training ground and my head. We’re too together to let outside influence get involved.”

On whether he’s had any conversations with the Forest ownership about his future, Cooper said: “I don’t think about that. I can only tell you how I genuinely feel.

“The greater good of this football club is always the most important for me and the only thing in my head since Fulham was how do we play well at Wolves, how do we get a result. Nothing else has entered my head. Anyone’s situation including mine is irrelevant.”

On Saturday, Toffolo put Forest ahead at Molineux after 12 minutes with the left wing-back rising to head home Neco Williams’ deep cross, beating the covering Wolves defenders.

But the hosts upped their game and equalised following a slick passing move, culminating in Pablo Sarabia cutting back for Cunha, with the Brazilian applying the finish.

Cheikhou Kouyate should have put Forest ahead shortly before half-time but was denied, one-on-one by Jose Sa, who returned in goal for Wolves after missing Tuesday’s win over Burnley with a back spasm.

Anthony Elanga smacked the bar from eight yards out early in the second half and Toffolo missed a golden chance with another header as Forest dominated while seeking a much-needed winner.

Forest tweaks not enough for three points

Cooper appears to be on borrowed time as Forest manager despite Saturday’s result. However, he still has the backing of the players, said Toffolo.

“We were embarrassed on Wednesday,” Toffolo told Sky Sports of the Fulham defeat. “We came here and knew we had to put it right.

“The love and support we’ve got for the manager, you can see it in abundance out there, you can see how together the group is, how much everyone wants to play for this manager. We’re really proud to be part of that performance.”

If the man who guided his side back to the Premier League in 2022 is to leave the club, he will not go without trying everything first.

Cooper made seven changes to the starting XI from the side thumped at Craven Cottage, including a change of goalkeeper with Matt Turner returning and, crucially, a change of formation to a 3-5-2 after playing a back four against Fulham.

That change of shape was crucial in putting Forest ahead, as the wing-backs combined for the opener – Williams’ cross from the right met by Toffolo steaming in from the left.

It delighted the noisy and sizable travelling support, who sang Cooper’s name from the opening seconds to after the final whistle.

“It was just gratitude,” Cooper said when asked about his post-match interactions with fans.

“We’ve succeeded over the last two years, the core of that has been the belief and the connection between supporters. We want to represent the city and football club as best we can and we’ve done that with real togetherness.

“The supporters are incredible and once again they show how to support a football club on the world stage of the Premier League. You saw the culture at its strongest today.”

But despite all those changes, Forest remain porous at the back and were cut apart when Wolves got their passing moves going. They have now conceded 12 goals in their past four away league matches – and were grateful to Turner who made a good low save from Cunha in the second half.

Milestones for Cunha and O’Neil

While several of Wolves’ games this season have been defined more by VAR than action on the field, Gary O’Neil’s side are capable of playing some very good football.

Central to that is Cunha, who has become the fourth Brazilian to score or assist in five consecutive Premier League games, after Arsenal players Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli and former Manchester City midfielder Elano.

Wolves have now scored in 15 consecutive Premier League matches, as they climb further away from what looked like early relegation worries.

Wolves rise to 12th in the Premier League, which will give O’Neil reason to cheer in his 50th Premier League game.