Anthony Knockaert’s goal was not enough to secure a positive result for Nottingham Forest, as they fell 2-1 at Norwich City on Wednesday night.
The Reds winger had come off the bench to equalise for his team at Carrow Road, after Jacob Sorensen had opened the scoring in first half added time.
But Chris Hughton’s side went a sixth game without a win as Emi Buendia netted just a few minutes later to secure three points for the Canaries.
Here’s what the Forest manager had to say at the final whistle.
What did you make of the result and performance?
“It's a disappointing defeat because I didn't think it was one we deserved, particularly over the 90 minutes.
“In the first half Norwich were better than us, despite not really creating many clear-cut opportunities.
“But we ended up conceding a poor goal on the stroke of half-time, despite some of the things we had done well in the period before that.
“What I did get was a reaction from the players in the second half, and once we got the equaliser, I couldn't see us losing the game because we were in the ascendancy.
“Even though they are a very good side, if there was one team in the ascendancy and might win, I thought it was us.
“That's the way things are going for us at the moment.
“Norwich got a very fortuitous second goal, but I thought our character throughout the second half was much better and much more like what I want to see. We needed more of that in the first half.”
How disappointing was that goal at the end of the first half?
“It changes everything.
“Being 1-0 down, the game became that little bit more open in the second half.
“It was the worst time to concede.
“They play very expansive football and are very good at what they do in that final third, with lots of good movement. I thought we had coped with that very well.
“But it was another poor goal to concede, and that heaps that bit more pressure on the team.”
Fans are worried about the position in the table. Is a relegation battle something you’re worried about?
“It’s not something I’m thinking about at this stage of the season.
“But I can understand (fans’ concerns). We are not in a false position. The league doesn’t lie.
“I think we are better than the results we have been getting. I think our performances are better than the results we have been getting.
“But the league table doesn’t lie.
“What we need to do is start picking up points.
“I can understand supporters feeling anxious.
“But I still have a lot of confidence in this group of players, certainly from what I’ve seen tonight and what I saw against Watford.
“We’ve got to solve some problems. The biggest problem is trying to score the goals we need to alleviate some of that pressure.
“That’s what we will continue to work on.
“There’s a quick turnaround before a home game on Saturday.
“If we can show what we showed in good patches against Norwich, then we will give ourselves a good chance to start picking up points.”
How does this run you’re on compare to what you’ve experienced previously as a manager?
“Have I been in this position before, where the team are not getting the results you want and you’re in a worrying position in the league? Yes, of course.
“There aren’t too many managers who haven’t been in that position.
“When you are in this position, if anything you need to work harder. You need to get your message over. You need to start getting more from the players.
“The most important thing is you mustn’t panic.
“I’ve got belief.
“We’ve got a talented group of players. Anybody watching that second half and the game against Watford would see that.
“There are just some problems we need to solve - and mostly that’s about getting the goals which will help us in this position.
“We’ve got to demand that little bit more from everybody in the team.”
How do you make sure it doesn’t become a mental problem for the players, with the run you are on?
“It’s about continually working. That’s what you do.
“You work hard, you demand the players work hard and you look for the opportunities to turn it around.
“It can turn around not necessarily by as good a performance but just getting a fortuitous goal, or putting in that type of performance and having that really good day which encourages you to go into the next game.
“That’s all we can do. Have belief in what you are doing. Have belief in the group of players, and strive to turn it around.”
