Support from the stands can help make the difference in Nottingham Forest’s promotion push, according to one Reds fans’ favourite.
Guy Moussi was part of the Forest squad which reached the Championship play-offs in successive seasons, in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
And the former midfielder says backing at the City Ground can give Sabri Lamouchi’s current crop the “energy” they need to finish in the top six again this time around.
“As a player, you are focused on the game, but when the fans start to make a noise and start singing, you can feel it as an energy or a vibration,” said Moussi.
“It’s a massive help.
“That’s why I really hope in these next three home games the fans will be behind the team.
“The form at the City Ground is really important.
“The fans will travel anywhere away to watch the team, but they want to see us do well at home.
“When teams come to the City Ground, you want it to be really hard for them to get any points.
“The fans can help all the more by supporting the team and getting behind them.
“The form at home is the most important thing, and you’ve got to have the backing of the fans to do that.”
The Reds are set for another bumper crowd this weekend when they welcome Luton Town, looking to make it three straight wins on their own turf.
The club have the second best average home attendance in the division behind Leeds United, and will hope fans turn out in force again for next Wednesday’s rearranged clash with Reading, followed by a meeting with the Whites themselves on February 8.
It is their form through the month of January, though, which Moussi says can go some way to helping achieve their goals.
In 2009/10 Forest picked up three wins out of four league games during the first month of the year, and the following season they secured 13 points out of a possible 15 in January.
So far this month, Lamouchi’s men have picked up four points out of six, beating Blackburn Rovers and drawing at Reading last Saturday.
And Moussi says games upcoming against the Hatters, the Royals and away at Brentford can go some way to cementing a play-off place.
“January is a really important month,” he said.
“When we got to the play-offs when I was playing, we got some really good results in January. And at the time we had 29,000 coming to the City Ground singing our names.
“I don’t think people realise how important the fans are for us.
“The next three home games are so important. The stadium will be full, and it will be just so good to have that incredible atmosphere and all the positivity from the fans.
“I know, as players, when you hear the City Ground singing that song, Mull of Kintyre, before kick-off, it gives you such a lift. The fans really can help the players.
“I just hope the fans help us, back the players and help us get a result in the next three home games.”
The Reds currently sit fifth in the table, two points off the third-placed Bees and eight behind Leeds in second.
Moussi wants to see them put together a consistent run of form to maintain that challenge.
“I think they just have to find some consistency and believe in themselves,” said the 34-year-old. “And we need to have the fans behind us - that’s the number one most important thing.
“I keep saying it, but people don’t realise how good and how important the fans are for the club and for the team.
“We need them behind us.
“The players have to be focused, and I believe they are.
“They know where they are at the moment and they’re not going to let it go easily.
“I am really impressed.
“We’ve been in and around the play-off places for a while now, and we’ve not been in that kind of situation since I was playing, when Billy Davies was in charge.
“I’m really impressed with how they’re doing.
“There are things we need to improve, but we are still up there, so that’s a good sign.”
