MAX: MADD ADVICE MADE ME A MAN
MAX LOWE claims advice from England star James Maddison helped him man-up.
Nottingham Forest’s loanee acted upon a few words of wisdom from the Leicester playmaker at a crossroads in his career.
Lowe was struggling to make the breakthrough at Derby County and was offered the chance to play for Aberdeen on loan – following in Maddison’s footsteps.
And a message from the Foxes’ £24million man helped make up his mind that a temporary switch to Pittodrie was the right move. Lowe said: “When I spoke to Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes on the phone, he told me about the number of players from England who had gone up there and done well.
“James Maddison was one of them – probably the biggest name among them. James then contacted me personally. He messaged me and said, ‘Good luck, it’s a great club’, and he was right, it is.
“That gave me confidence to go on and do it – and that’s vital for any young player who is not getting game-time. There’s massive games up there and the environment is ruthless. I’d say it almost turned me into a man.”the defender came off social media after his loan switch from Sheffield United, fearing the abuse he might receive having played for Forest’s fierce rivals Derby.
Nervous
However, he has since returned – and says he has now come to terms with the move. “I’m back on it,” said Lowe. “It was more to help with my own headspace.
“I was nervous joining Forest.
After my Derby links, I knew what was coming. I just wanted to do my best for the team and block out all the noise. I feel really comfortable now. It does feel like home. People know how much I like it here.”
Forest boss Steve Cooper says victory over the Foxes could provide his club with a springboard for the rest of the campaign, after beating Arsenal in the third round.
He said: “We have to embrace these challenges.
“If we beat really tough opposition once again, then it shows our plans are good ones.”