Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has explained why he believes the Reds have been so poor away from home this season.
Forest have won just one of their 17 Premier League away trips, a huge contributing factor to their place in the relegation zone with four games to play. Cooper was asked by talksPORT's Jim White to put his finger on why that had happened.
While Cooper admitted the club needed to reflect on the full reasons after the season, he put it largely down to not having a full stadium of Forest supporters cheering them on.
READ MORE: Forest predicted XI for crucial Southampton showdown
READ MORE: Teddy Sheringham sends Forest demands ahead of crucial clash
Asked why Forest have 'been such a different team' away from home, Cooper said: "I respect the question, it's quite an obvious one to ask because of the differentiation between home and away. It's something that, after the season, we have to have a big reflection on.
"The obvious answer has been our supporters. I've got to say, they've been equally as good away from home and we've given them very little for the amount of money they've spent and the hours they've given up.
"It pains me to think that we've given them so little. The support home and away - naturally there's more at home - has been uncondictional. Nobody has left the stadium, whether we're winning, losing or drawing a game, it's been so consistently good. We don't take it for granted, we're not entitled by it. We're just really grateful for it because the supporters at time have felt probably different to what they've actually shown. That's not always the case, as we know, partcularly in the situation we've been in.
"For sure, when the season's finished, it's something we have to do a big relefction on. But at the moment, we're right in the mix of trying to win some games to get the points we need. We've got to stay honed in on that and pick up that stuff at a different time."
Do you agree with Cooper? Let us know in the comments section.
READ NEXT:
- Chris Sutton makes huge Forest prediction ahead of Southampton clash
- Forest squad assessed as crucial summer transfer window looms
- Southampton set to be without three players for Forest clash
- Wolves star Daniel Podence escapes FA ban after Forest spitting row
- Ex-Man Utd star Rio Ferdinand delivers classy message to Forest old boy
