STEVIE G: I FEEL HEAT
STEVEN GERRARD has admitted he is feeling the pressure at Aston Villa.
The former Liverpool and England legend claims he is prepared for the fallout should Villa lose their Midlands derby at Nottingham Forest.
Defeat for Villa tomorrow night would set alarm bells ringing as
Steve Cooper’s side desperately seek the victory they need to stop the rot that has set in at the City Ground.
And Gerrard, whose position will come under scrutiny should the result go against him, is prepared to take it on the chin.
Noise
He said: “You asked me whether I’m aware of any knee-jerk reaction. Yes,
100 percent.
“There would have been noise if we had lost at Leeds, wouldn’t there? It would have been the same if we had lost to Southampton.
“If you don’t get the results that the fans demand and want in this day and age, you are going to get reactions, noise and pressure. The focus is very
much on us. We’re all in a league, as managers, where if you don’t get the results your club or fans demand then there’s going to be pressure and noise.
“There’s half-a-dozen of us feeling it at the moment – some more than others. It is what it is. That’s no problem. I’m aware of it. I’m definitely no mug.
“I’m not hiding under a rock or putting myself in a shell. I puff out my chest and accept every bit of it.
“I’ll keep doing everything I can to change that around for a better reaction – 100 percent.
“Am I confident I can do that? Yes.
“I am backing myself that I can drive this team up the league – and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.”