As Nottingham Forest continue their search for attacking reinforcements, midfielder Ben Watson says it is crucial the rest of the team play their part.
The Reds have made bringing in a forward a priority during the January transfer window, as they look for someone to share the goalscoring burden with Lewis Grabban.
With loanee Rafa Mir having not been involved in recent weeks, amid an expected return to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Grabban has been the only recognised front man in the matchday squad.
The 32-year-old has netted 14 league goals already this term, with Joe Lolley Forest’s next highest goalscorer, on four.
Watson took his own contribution to three for the season with a last-minute strike at Reading which almost earned three points, until a Tobias Figueiredo own goal in the final seconds meant the spoils were shared.
And the skipper says more names are needed on the scoresheet, to help ease the pressure on Grabban.
“It is important everyone chips in,” said Watson.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a striker who scores every week or not, it’s always important other players chip in with goals - wingers, defenders, midfielders, anyone.
“Anyone you can have chipping in is obviously going to benefit the team.
“Thankfully, I’ve got a few this season.
“We know what we need to do. We know where we are. We know we’ve got two home games coming up and that they’re two very big, crucial games.”
Sabri Lamouchi’s men sit fifth in the table after that 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium, eight points behind second-placed Leeds United.
They host bottom club Luton Town on Sunday, followed by the rearranged return fixture with the Royals next Wednesday.
Unbeaten in four in the Championship, in a congested division, Watson says it is consistency which will separate the promotion runners and riders.
“I think that is going to be the difference,” he said.
“Look at us now, we’re four unbeaten - that’s good form going into two home games.
“If we can get points from those two home games, then we’re on a good run.
“You need consistency.
“Whoever is the most consistent, nine times out of 10 they are the team which gets promoted or goes up through the play-offs.
“But there’s a long way to go.
“We had two good results at home over the Christmas period.
“We can’t look beyond Luton.
“We’ve got to take that game as if we’re playing a team at the top of the league, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s the Championship, and on any given day, anyone can beat anyone.
“You can’t predict a result.
“We just need to do what we know we’re good at.
“On Saturday we stuck to the game plan and nearly nicked the win. It wasn’t to be, so now we move on to Sunday.”
