Chris Cohen: Nottingham Forest's players must perform better, regardless of what happens off the pitch
NOTTINGHAM Forest's players owe it to the fans to address their dip in form, regardless of what happens off the pitch.
That was the message from Chris Cohen, who says a disappointing January transfer window, nor speculation over the future of manager Alex McLeish, do not excuse a run of just one win in seven matches.
McLeish spent the weekend considering his future following a frustrating deadline day that saw moves for three players collapse.
The manager took training as normal yesterday, suggesting he is willing to wait to see if he is backed when the loan window opens on Friday.
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While McLeish made his feelings public by refusing to comment on his future following the defeat against Birmingham, Cohen believes the whole club has been left frustrated by the failure to add new faces on deadline day.
But, tellingly, Cohen also insists the existing squad should be performing better than they are.
"The people we feel most sorry for are the fans," said Cohen.
"The owners wanted players to come in, the manager wanted players to come in and us, as players, wanted to see new faces.
"Everyone wanted the same thing, but the ones who probably suffer the most are the fans. They are the ones who pay good money to travel all over the country to see us.
"And they were superb again at Birmingham. When you are 2-0 down it is easy for fans to turn on you, but they didn't, they kept right behind us until the final whistle.
"We are very appreciative of that, but we need to give them something more to cheer about. We need to repay them for their backing by giving them something to smile about."
A familiar face, in Sean O'Driscoll, will be hoping to return to haunt Forest this weekend, when they travel to face Bristol City.
"It is a massive game for us, given the run we are on," said Cohen. "Bristol lost to Blackburn and they will want to bounce back.
"Sean knows how we work, he knows our strengths and we know how he likes to work.
"I don't think tactics will decide it, It will be down to who plays better on the day. We have to make sure it is us. We have to make something happen. As I said, we want to give the fans something to smile about."
4 Comments
by tricky_tree82
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:09AM
“Does everyone know McLeish has walked? Just announced on Radio 5!”
by GeeRed
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 10:18AM
“Everybody keeps saying NFFC a disappointing January transfer window.
Ok, so we didn't get any wingers in & missed some of our targets but there was a significant amount of business done; we signed 5 players during January!
McLaughlin, Ward, Reyes, Henderson & the Kuwaiti keeper (Al-Rashidi?).
That is a better January than any other I or any of you can remember! FACT!
So let's get some perspective.
We might not agree with the signings, but there was activity, it's just that the missed targets late in the January window, when we were promised so much, have put a shadow over any of the other business.
The George Boyd debacle was an embarrassing fiasco for the club & manager, but especially the owners and it will also have a lasting affect on their reputation in the English game & how other clubs do business with Forest in the future!
This will come back to haunt Forest, Mark my words!
The failure to sign Burke, when he was an openly stated target of the owners choice & newly appointed manager, not only proved there are problems of some sort at NFFC, but it really came home (or away) & hit us where it hurts, on the pitch!”
by apfifty
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:36AM
“for what it is worth, i firmly believe, that most who play for Forest realize they have gone as far as they can up the football ladder, playing for a large club with a great history, that is on a downer, and unable to afford/attract the caliber of players it once used too. Subsequently, they are cosseted, and given the best facilities they have ever experienced, and this, coupled with the large salary has removed most, if not all of their inner hunger and desire. As a result they let the club down on a regular basis, and whoever is in charge of the team is always let down with a heartless performance, usually out of the blue.Should we get to the premiership, (ever!) these guys know that they are unlikely to be retained, and that will also affect their hunger. I do not know the answer, but i do know that too many lesser sides have passed us by on their way to the promised land, and too many lesser sides show much more heart for the battle, on too many occasions.”
by Shadow
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 7:41AM
“I think Cohen should play in the middle of the back four. He is quicker and a better footballer than Collins. Also he is good in the air, would be an ideal captain, and has more respect from his team mates than Collins.
Collins, along with several others were bad signings recommended by Burt who I believe is taking Forest to court for unfair dismissal.”