New signing Tyler Blackett is confident he can help Nottingham Forest curb their habit of conceding late goals this season.
The Reds dropped crucial points on several occasions last term through opposition teams scoring in the final minutes of games.
And it ultimately proved costly as they missed out on a play-off spot, and a chance to secure promotion.
Blackett was part of the Reading team which equalised right at the death to secure a 1-1 draw in both home and away fixtures against Forest in 2019/20.
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He has now switched camps, after leaving the Royals to link up with Sabri Lamouchi’s squad, and has set out a challenge for his new teammates as they once again target a place in the Premier League.
“It is a mentality thing as well,” he said of the tendency to concede late on.
“You have to put that pressure on yourself, in terms of not conceding - make it a challenge.
“For example, the unit of defenders, we have to make it a challenge between us not to concede in certain moments.
“We have to really help each other, in terms of switching on, keeping concentration and having the focus which will allow us to win more games.”
Blackett put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the City Ground when he joined last month.
Able to play left-back and in the centre of defence, he knows there is plenty of competition for places in the back line.
“I think we need that competition,” he told NottinghamshireLive.
“The manager has really tried to get that this year. He’s given a lot of us a task of competing against the other player fighting for your position.
“That in-house battle will then take the battle out on to the pitch as well.
“It’s going to lift us in training.
“Now I’m getting older, I would say I’m more of a centre-back.
“I’m equally as comfortable playing at left-back, but I see myself as a left-sided centre-back.
“In this day and age, it can be quite rare for someone to have a position in a team where they’re given that opportunity to express themselves.
“It’s a real blessing for myself to be here and to be given that opportunity from the manager as well.”
