Head coach Sabri Lamouchi admits there was some “tension” in the tunnel at half-time of Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 bad-tempered defeat at Huddersfield Town.
The Reds went into the break 1-0 down thanks to Christopher Schindler’s volley just past the half hour, having paid the price for not making the most of their chances.
There was a heated exchange of words between Lamouchi and opposite number Danny Cowley as the two sides made their way to the changing rooms.
And with a number of Terriers players having required treatment at various points in the game, seemingly in a bid to waste time, the Frenchman expressed his frustration at “bad tactics” from the hosts.
Asked what happened in the tunnel at the interval, Lamouchi said: “Honestly, I don’t know. Just some confusion and some tension.
“That can happen, but not at half-time like that. I was surprised.
“If it was a tactic, I’m not sure it’s a good tactic. More or less, it’s a bad tactic.
“But congratulations to them and for the victory.
“My players deserve more than no points, but we go back home with nothing in the pocket. That is the reality - the reality is there, not in the changing room or people talking on the bench, it is just on the pitch.
“And on the pitch, we are just living a bad moment.
“We have to keep calm and be humble and we will come back. The season is long, very long, and we have more games to play.”
The result made it five games without a win for Forest, and back-to-back losses as Joe Worrall’s second half header proved little more than a consolation.
“I was so surprised. It’s my first time and I was so surprised,” Lamouchi said of Huddersfield’s tactics.
“Football is about enjoyment and respect. We need respect for the opponent, respect for the referee, respect for the fans and we need respect for the football.
“There was a little bit of tension.
“But I just want to focus on what’s happening on the pitch and my players. I said to them at the break, ‘don’t become crazy, just try to play and we will come back in the game’.
“Unfortunately, that was not the case.
“It’s one more loss and a very bad moment.
“We need to stay all together, be very humble and keep working.”
