Nottingham Forest produced a statement of intent as they returned with three points from their trip to Brentford.
Joe Lolley’s first half strike proved the difference in a 1-0 win at Griffin Park as the visitors made it seven league games unbeaten and climbed to third in the Championship table.
Here’s what Reds head coach Sabri Lamouchi had to say afterwards.
You must be happy with that result and performance, but could you have won by more?
“It was clear for everybody, the penalty (a push on Lewis Grabban, which was not given), but I just want to be positive with my players.
“I congratulate them, because it was a massive performance here at Brentford.
“It’s not easy against one of the best teams in this league.
“We just need to stay focused.
“I am so proud, but I don’t want to say that after every game.
“But after seven months together, to see the players do this kind of performance away from home again, it shows a very good attitude.
“We have been talking about that from the beginning, and step by step we are in the right way - we know that.
“But the season is so tough, so difficult and so long, so we just need to focus on the next one.
“We need to enjoy this one, because it was a massive performance - I need to repeat that - and we can think about Birmingham (on Saturday) tomorrow.”
You had to stay focused, right the way through, didn’t you?
“Yes, and the players are working like that every training session.
“I have a fantastic squad and fantastic players, who are very professional. Congratulations to them.
“But the next one will be tough, then the one after that and the one after that.
“We have 17 games to play. We have to enjoy this one, then prepare for the next one.”
Do you think it worked particularly well having Joe Lolley in the centre and Tiago Silva out wide?
“Yes, that was the plan. And the players respected the plan perfectly.
“Of course, when you decide to change something when you have been in a good way, it is not easy.
“But the players trust us and follow us. And the attitude on the pitch was just unbelievable.
“Our fans were fantastic, behind Brice’s Samba’s goal, helping us defend at the end.
“We just have to keep working and keep going.
“This kind of performance is not easy, but we have to keep repeating it.
“We have 17 more games and we can’t miss one. We just want to play each one like the last one.”
You’re two points off second place now, can you understand the supporters getting excited?
“I don’t want to talk about the ranking and the table. I can talk about the fans and the support and each one of my players. Believe me, they know where they are - at a big club, with big fans.
“They just want to enjoy it together.
“They are very happy working with each other.
“I have a fantastic dressing room, which is fantastic for me. It is fantastic for all of us.
“We just have to stay focused, stay strong and be ready for each game.”
Do you think you might have some new players in before the window closes?
“I never answer my phone during games, so I don’t know what’s happening!
“I just want to congratulate my team and my players for what they have done until now.
“I don’t want a bad surprise, I just want a good surprise.
“If I have a good surprise, we are happy. But this dressing room is just fantastic. We just need more quality to help us, nothing else.”
