NOTTINGHAM Forest will be given a license to continue playing good football under Alex McLeish, predicted Andy Reid today.
The Reds winger says the new manager has not implemented a host of changes since joining the club last week.
And Reid expects that McLeish will look to make the most of the tools at his disposal at the City Ground – which the Irishman says is simply a group of good footballers.
"The manager knows that we have good players here. He respects the fact that we have good footballers at the club," said Reid.
"I don't think there will be massive changes. I think he will tweak things. I think there will be things he expects that the previous manager didn't.
"I don't see there being major changes. I am sure there will be new players coming into the club in January.
"But we have good players here and I am sure the manager will be keen for us to keep getting the ball down, to keep playing football. The manager has been there and done it. He is a good manager.
"He has not got the track record he has by being naive or ignoring the strengths of the teams he has had.
"He has come here and he knows we have good players, so it would not be right for him to change the style of play, when we have good footballers.
"He knows that, because he is a good manager.
"We will continue to play good football at the right times, when we can. We will try to play as much football as we can."
Reid revealed that McLeish has been trying to introduce his own ideas in training this week.
"It is up to us to perform, to produce what the manager wants," he said. "He has been getting across his ideas over the past week or so.
"I suspect that, if you don't do what he wants, you will not be in the team for long – but that is nothing new. That is the same with any manager, in any team."
Reid had been back to his very best form under Sean O'Driscoll, having been handed an influential, creative role in midfield.
And, when asked if he has been pleased with his performances, the 30-year-old said: "Yes, very much so. I feel good at the moment. I am creating goals and chipping in with a few myself. I feel I am playing well and enjoying my football."
Sources in Yorkshire understand Championship rivals Leeds are upping their interest and preparing a bid, believed to be £800,000, for Forest striker Dexter Blackstock, who is out of contract in the summer.
