'Bit more excitement' - Nottingham Forest boss' verdict after crucial victory

Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton hailed Ryan Yates’ “wonderful” performance after his goal sealed victory at Rotherham.

The midfielder pounced in the second half to seal a 1-0 victory at the New York Stadium which earned the Reds a second successive Championship win.

It capped off a wonderful display from the academy graduate on a night when Forest had to demonstrate their battling qualities to seal the win.

And Hughton was full of praise for his contribution as Forest moved 10 points clear of the bottom three.

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“I thought it was a wonderful performance for the type of performance that we wanted,” he said.

“We knew how they played and Ryan has a strength in the air and is a good shield, particularly as the game drove on.

“They were getting more direct in the way that they played. So it was an important role that he did for us and he capped it off with a goal.  Although  he’s been out for this period of time, he’s played a lot of games for us.

“I think when a midfield player scores a goal, I think it’s that little bit more excitement, because we probably don’t get enough goals from other areas of the pitch, so I am pleased for him.”

Hughton said Forest had to dig in to seal all three points and did ride their luck in stoppage time when Michael Smith hit the bar.

But he was pleased with how his side dealt with the Millers’ direct approach.

“It was a tough game,” he said.

“It’s what we expected. And I think if you are able to get an earlier goal, maybe it opens that game just a little bit more.

“But we’re up against a team that put us under  a lot of pressure.

Nottingham Forest's Ryan Yates scores against Rotherham United (PA)

“They pressed really well and they’ve got high energy in their team. They made it very difficult for us. And when you have that type of game, you’ve got to make sure to defend well, which we did.

"At times we had to defend in  numbers and it was quite difficult to get a real good rhythm in the game against a team who had  that sort of style of play.

“They’re good at what they do and have good players. So really pleased, and sometimes, those type of wins can be the most pleasing ones.”