Yohan Benalouane has appealed to fans to ‘stay behind’ Nottingham Forest, as Martin O’Neill’s side head into the critical final stages of the Championship season.
The defender thanked supporters for their backing since he joined the club in January – and praised them for their role in ensuring the Reds remained in touching distance of the play-off places.
But he has also warned of the importance of staying unified, as Forest head into their final seven games of the season.
O’Neill’s side face relegation battlers Rotherham this weekend and the Tunisian says Forest will need strong backing in Yorkshire, just as much as ever.
“If I have a message for the supporters it is to stay with us; to keep going,” said Benalouane. “Because my feeling is that, when we are at home or away, our part of the stadium is always full and you can see the people in red.
“It is important for me to see that. When I am on the pitch and I can see all the Forest supporters around us, it is like you are at home.
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“When you are at home you always give your best. I thank them for this.
“But we have to keep going in the same way, together. As a team, we have to give a good result away from home now. We know that is important.”
Benalouane has made himself a popular figure with his no nonsense, committed approach to the game – which was a big factor in him ending up playing with a protective mask for several weeks, after breaking a bone in his face.
The mask has long gone, but his attitude remains the same.
And Benalouane said: “That is my mentality. It is a reciprocal love, with the supporters.
“I can feel that they give me a lot and I want to give a lot for them. This is my work and I have to give my best when I am on the pitch.
“It is really important for me to give my best and to make all the people around the club happy.
“When I go on the pitch – when every player goes on the pitch – we try to do our best, all together.
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“Our supporters are always behind us and it is really important for us.
“If we play with our heart, we can achieve something important for this club. I think they deserve this.”
Forest beat Swansea last weekend to keep their top six hopes alive – but, while he was encouraged by that, Benalouane acknowledges that there is much work still to do.
“I think we have to be confident. We have to work on this. Because the team that finishes sixth will be the one that has the most character,” he said.
“We have to show that character now. Now is the time. It is time for us to make something important.”
