COOPER KEEPING FAITH DESPITE FOREST FIRES

STEVE COOPER emerged from another week of chaos at Nottingham Forest, saying: "I've never felt so motivated to succeed."

- NEIL MOXLEY

The City Ground chief has learnt to roll with the punches and another one was delivered after sporting director Filippo Giraldi was sacked five days ago.

The Italian had only been in the post for six months before being replaced by Ross Wilson, who was headhunted from Rangers.

Cooper has been fending off the first rumours of discontent with his own stewardship after nine matches without a win, the last being a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

So, ahead of the clash against Manchester United tomorrow, he utilised Sir Alex Ferguson's (right) tactic of a siege mentality to rally his troops.

He said: "Even though I feel it as much as everyone else when we don't get the result we want, I've never felt so motivated to succeed.