Nottingham Forest fans invited to slam players in person
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-25 14:01

LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson came up with a novel way of punishing his under-performing players at the weekend when he made them face disgruntled fans in the changing rooms.

The former European champions, now languishing in the third tier of English football, were two goals down to Yeovil Town at halftime when a pair of fans aired their grievances to Megson.

Rather than ignore them, the manager invited them to get it off their chests with the players after the game.

Long-suffering fans John Emener and Andrew Peel thought he was joking, but Megson proved as good as his word following the 3-0 defeat.

"(Megson) was walking to the dugout and I said 'Come on Gary. There's hundreds of fans who have traveled hours to watch us being outfought and outplayed in every department,'" Emener told Tuesday's Times newspaper.

"He turned around and said 'I agree. That's exactly what I have just told them. Do you want to come in at the final whistle and tell them yourselves?'

"I though he might change his mind, but to his credit he kept his word, he just told us nothing abusive or personal.

"Their performances away to Swindon, Barnsley and Yeovil were unacceptable. I hope they got the message."

Forest, who last week lost to conference club Woking in a cup competition involving lower league sides, are 11th in the third division after being relegated from the second division last season.