Nottingham Forest fans are convinced Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom is playing “mind games” ahead of Tuesday night.
The Reds hold a 2-1 advantage going into the second leg of their play-offs semi-final, having triumphed at Bramall Lane on Saturday. Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson found the net for the visitors, before Sander Berge reduced the deficit late on.
With his team trailing, Heckingbottom has seemingly tried to gain an edge in the build-up to the return fixture at the City Ground. He has claimed Forest could be playing in an “edgier atmosphere” on the banks of the Trent, if they end up defending deep. And he accused the Reds of celebrating “as if they thought they were through” when Johnson doubled their lead in front of the away end.
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“You see the body language,” he said. “We’re coming off and we didn’t look as defeated.
“The lads are in the dressing room saying to each other, ‘we’re still in this’. Their players are arguing about who let him (Berge) in to get it, and wondering how it happened.
“Look at how they celebrated their second goal, as if they thought they were through. It makes the first big incident at their place key now.
“The first goal is key. If we get it, then it totally changes the complexion of what is happening.”
His comments have provoked plenty of reaction among Reds supporters. Here’s a look at what they have been saying.
Simon Birch: Clutching at every straw he can to try and initiate the mind games .... We do our talking on the pitch mate
Jennifer Taylor: He needs to stop wallowing on about Forest and concentrate on his own players. He’s obviously worried and hope he’s ready for the City Ground noise from the Forest supporters.
Lee Wharmby: How does he think you should celebrate a second goal away from home in a play off semi-final
Aaron Nee: Sheff Utd didn’t celebrate much when they scored as all their fans had left
Gemma Ford: Goes on about how we celebrated. They celebrated like they’d won the match
Pankaj Beri: Don’t care what he thinks. It’s all mind games and can’t blame him for trying. We played them off the park. Let’s finish the job tomorrow
Stephen Rowbotham: Forest In "celebrate after scoring a goal" shocker.
David Coleman: This guy is a wind up merchant. He is trying every trick he can to unsettle the team. We don't need to play mind game. We will do our talking on the pitch. Come on you reds.
Matt Barnsley: Sounds like a bloke under pressure
Ger Bollard: It's obviously bothering him or he wouldn't say it, more of the same tomorrow night.COYR.
Stuart Watson: He’s clutching at straws with his comments, making it look like mind games. Yes we should be at Wembley if we had taken all our chances. They got a lucky goal at the end and celebrated like they had won the playoff final. Lol
Michael Brown: He doesn’t know what the Heck he’s on about
Vernon Harris: One of the most desperate and pathetic attempts at mind games I’ve ever seen!!!
David Hewes: Cooper don’t do mind games he just concentrates on his plan n the evidence shows they can’t cope with that
Dave Morley: Let the guy keep talking. He’s writing Cooper’s team talk for him.
Will'iam Hobs: Rattled
Targa: How dare our players have the audacity to celebrate scoring! shame on us.
Sul7980: A Steve Cooper side defend deep....at home? Have a word with yourself Heckinbottom
