Darren Fletcher has urged Nottingham Forest fans to be more measured in their criticism of players online.
The BT Sport broadcaster was speaking about Joe Worrall in this case after the Reds skipper made a major error to concede a penalty in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham at the weekend.
Speaking on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast, Forest legend Garry Birtles said Worrall should have stayed on his feet rather than slide in on Richarlison, conceding an obvious spot kick which Harry Kane scored to make it 2-0.
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"Joe will know what he's done," Birtles said. "I was always told stay on your feet. Joe dived in. He got it wrong. It's about a learning curve. If you don't learn you don't deserve to be in the team. That's when the big questions are asked."
Worrall came in for plenty of criticism on Twitter after the match with fans saying he had responded by blocking them. Fletcher feels vitriolic criticism of players will do much more harm than good in Forest's survival fight as they sit two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
"He's playing at the highest level in our game because he's mentally strong. He's come through an academy that's made him mentally strong and he's club captain because he's mentally strong," he said.
"He won't let these idiots bother him because he's made of a sterner stuff. That's why he'll come through. The same people slaughtering him for giving a penalty away, were they slaughtering him for digging in with Felipe to get a point against Everton? He was one of the better players that day.
"All the way through this season players have had good days and bad. That's what happens as a promoted team. We've got great supporters, but if the people doing this think they're helping in any way, shape or form - they're not. If they lose Joe, which they won't, they may target another individual.
"You can lose them when you need them. They aren't there mentally and then you get relegated. Well done.
"This a time when people should be coming together, realising that we may be 10 points away from staying in the Premier League, which would be the club's best achievement in decades. The fans have to do their bit.
"Joe is Forest through and through. He's extremely well respected in the dressing room. I would say to the people doing it, please stop as you're really not helping."
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