Get back to what has worked and silence the doubters

IF Nottingham Forest want any extra motivation as they prepare for a crucial few weeks, they need only look at what has been said by various pundits and ex-players.

- By SARAH CLAPSON [e-mail] @Sarah_Clapson

The Reds have had their mentality questioned, had their game plan picked apart and been told Nuno Espirito Santo got his team selection completely wrong. All after back-to-back defeats which they were so close to claiming draws from.

There is no doubt Forest face a real fight to claim a top-five finish and secure Champions League qualification. With six games to go, the table is tight and the battle to get over the line seems likely to go right to the wire.

But Nuno's men are up there challenging for a reason and that is because they have been superb this season - even if their last two results have not gone their way.

Here's a look at what the Reds need to do as their resolve is put to the test.

Shut out the noise

Remember that Forza Garibaldi display from last season? Morgan Gibbs-White in fingers-in-ears pose alongside the message: "Shut everything out and play your game."

Well, exactly that. The Gibbs-White tifo came in very different circumstances, with the club mired in a relegation battle at the time and reeling from a points deduction for breaching financial rules. But the same sentiment applies now.