Nottingham Forest’s ‘incredible’ fans can help drive the club forward next season.
Chris Cohen says he has been blown away by the level of backing he has witnessed over the past campaign, when attendances rocketed and season ticket sales rose to record levels.
And, with the club edging close to 20,000 season ticket sales for next season, the former midfielder believes the continued backing from the stands can make a real difference.
There was a mood of frustration as the Reds missed out on their target of securing a play-off place.
Nottingham Forest to face Greek club as part of pre-season preparations
But Forest won seven of their ten home games under Martin O’Neill and Cohen, who is now an under-23 coach at the Nigel Doughty Academy, felt that fans had their part to play in the positive home form.
“The fans have been incredible. The atmosphere at the start of the Derby game, for example, was incredible,” said Cohen.
“I can’t remember an atmosphere as good as that, even in games I have played in against Derby.
“The game was really, really something special, but that was not the only one where they have backed the team.
“They have backed Forest through tough times and good times. But they keep coming back and coming back.”
Cohen says it does make a difference to players, when they feel the crowd is behind them - and that the City Ground is an intimidating place for the opposition.
“It makes such a difference. Our home form has been pretty decent this season and I have no doubt that fans have a major part to play in that success we are starting to get at home,” he said.
“They can play a part moving forward, as well.”
Only the first 20,000 fans who buy season tickets this summer will have a guaranteed option to renew this time next season, when work is scheduled to begin on transforming the City Ground into a Premier League class 38,000 capacity venue.
That work will see the capacity of the stadium temporarily limited, with the Peter Taylor Stand set to be demolished and rebuilt in a two-tier, state of the art structure.
