Robert Earnshaw has urged Nottingham Forest to give more time to under-fire boss Steve Cooper.
The former Reds striker took to Twitter to defend his compatriot and call on Forest to be patient.
Earnshaw spent three years at the City Ground and stuck up a brilliant rapport with the club’s supporters.
He found the net 43 times in 111 appearances, including 17 in each of his first two seasons on Trentside.
The Wales talisman made the move along the A52 to sign for Forest from Derby following the club’s promotion from League One.
Earnshaw clearly enjoyed his time at Forest more than he did Derby.
At Pride Park, he was part of the worst Premier League team in history and scored twice in 25 appearances.
Earnshaw has now waded in on the discussion regarding Cooper and he’s in doubt as to what Forest should do.
The 42-year-old came under scrutiny following Monday’s 4-0 defeat to Leicester City.
A crushing loss leaves the Reds bottom of the Premier League and they’ve now lost five games on the spin.
Naturally, football is a fickle beast but after signing so many new players, it was always going to take time for Forest this season.
Earnshaw has urged Forest to give Cooper time and he’s right
The Reds are in dire straits but ultimately this was always to be expected.
Forest got promoted with five loan players who all returned to their clubs, with Brice Samba and Lewis Grabban also leaving.
Signing 22 was probably not the idea of Cooper but it’s hard to knock the hierarchy for showing ambition.
Still, it was always anticipated that the squad would need time to settle.
The new players need to understand how Cooper wants his team to play and the Welshman is trying his best to improve results.
Earnshaw is right. He’s now got his coaching badges himself and can often be seen providing punditry on Sky Sports.
He will care deeply about Forest and the club would be wise to follow his advice.
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