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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

Nottingham Forest old boy issues passionate plea to fans ahead of Manchester United clash

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan says the players "need the fans more than ever" as they prepare to face Manchester United.

The Reds have slipped into the Premier League relegation zone after going nine games without a win, and some fans are now resigned to the drop.

Speaking on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast, McGugan said Forest can beat United, having already beaten Liverpool at the City Ground while also drawing with Manchester City and Chelsea.

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However, he feels victory is only possible on Sunday (4.30pm kick-off) if fans continue to create raucous atmospheres at the City Ground.

He said: "How many times have we had this conversation? A lot of the season has been built on home form and creating an atmosphere.

"Backs against the wall when no one expects you to do anything - that's where we've come up trumps. Now we HAVE to go and do it.

"We've done it before so it's not as if we are sat here saying we've not beaten a top six club all season or made the City Ground a fortress. Top clubs have come to the City Ground and struggled.

"It's there. It's trying to get that blueprint back out. We can't say 'let's hope' because the reality is we're going to have to win one of these games at least, probably two. We've done it before.

"We've got to do it again. It's as simple as that. Even if things are a bit toxic (among fans), even they're turning, it's the City Ground.

"Fans have got to make it an unbelievable atmosphere. At the end of the day that's what will get players over the line.

"What we can't do is turn and have opposing teams feed of any negativity because I promise you they will. I've been there.

"Any bit of negativity in the crowd, that's what they wait for. Once that changes they go for it. I understand that it's at that point where everything is tense and games are running out but players need the fans more than ever.

"We're going to have win games no one expects us to win."

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