Nottingham Forest legend Frank Clark has backed his former club to turn their fortunes around and maintain their Premier League status.
Ahead of Monday night’s crunch clash against Leicester City, the Reds sit second-bottom in the table, with four points from their first seven games. Their opponents are even worse off, currently propping up the division having collected just one point so far.
Boss Steve Cooper will be out to arrest a four-match losing streak at the King Power Stadium. But while Clark acknowledges the task the Welshman has on his hands following a summer shopping spree which saw 22 signings made - a recruitment drive which has raised eyebrows outside the club - he is convinced results will improve once the head coach gets to know his players better.
READ MORE: Forest praised for double transfer decision by Reds legend
READ MORE: Forest cast eye over 'fantastic' youngster in training
Asked if Forest can avoid an immediate return to the Championship, European Cup winner Clark told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Yes, I have no doubt about that. It will be a struggle, but we will definitely stay up if everybody keeps their head.
“We have signed some very good players, we can argue about the numbers, but we lost seven that needed to be replaced to start with. It will take Steve a while, it would take any manager a while, to gel them together and to find out what his best team is.
“The problem is Forest have very good players, but the cohesion isn’t there. And that’s understandable. You can’t snap your fingers and bring a group of players together and expect it be cohesive against a team that has maybe played together for two years.
“Once things settle down and Steve gets a better idea of what his best team is, we will be alright. We will survive.”
Where do you think Forest will finish in the table? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT: