Club stalwart Andy Reid has stressed the importance of Nottingham Forest fans continuing to back the team as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League.
The Reds make the trip to face Leeds United on Monday night looking to stop a run of three successive defeats. A tough week ended with a second half collapse which saw them lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth last weekend.
The players were met with some boos from a small section of the crowd at the full-time whistle - something which has been almost unheard of during Steve Cooper’s time at the helm. Reid, who made the step from Under-23s boss to join the first-team coaching staff in the summer, has underlined the role supporters can play as Forest try to hold their own in the top tier.
READ MORE: How Forest's 15 summer exits are getting on since leaving City Ground
READ MORE: 'Offer made' for Forest man amid last-minute transfer rush
Asked how the coaching staff remain level-headed, the Irishman told the official website: “When the good times come along, you can’t let the highs be too high. We have to be consistent for the players, where the lows can’t be too low either.
“You can’t accept certain things, and we all have to drive each other and push each other. But also, there has to be a degree of realism to what we’re trying to build here. The fans play an important part in that.
“As staff, and I know the players feel it, sometimes when we’re on the back foot in games, the fans singing and making the noise they make is really important. The atmosphere at the City Ground in the last 12 months has been as good as I ever remember it - as a player when I was here first time and when I came back the second time.
“That works both ways. The team have to give the fans something to cheer about, and then the fans back that up - and they have done magnificently.
“That’s going to be needed. The fans understand that there’s going to be times when the players step out on the pitch and they really, really need the support. They’ve been so forthcoming with it.
“From singing just before kick-off that gets everybody so emotional and raring to go, to the noise when we score, to really getting behind the team when we’re on the back foot. It’s so, so important.
“The players are really appreciative of it. There’s going to be times when we need them.”
He added: “If you take away the football side of it (promotion), look what it’s done for the city and how it’s galvanised the fans; it’s given them something to cheer about. The gaffer talks about giving the city and the fans a team to be proud of; he tells the players that regularly.
“I think that’s really poignant. It’s important.
“Everybody has got that personal pride when you step out on the pitch, but for us as staff and the players, it’s really important that we give the fans a team to be proud of. There’s nothing surer than over the past 12 months, the fans have been immensely proud of the team.”
What's your score prediction against Leeds? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT:
