Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton has explained his decision to make just one substitution in his team’s 2-0 defeat to Barnsley.
Beginning this weekend, Football League clubs are permitted up to five changes in a game, from a nine-man bench - as was the case following the restart last season.
Hughton, though, only opted to make one at Oakwell, with Luke Freeman replacing Miguel Angel Guerrero in the 72nd minute.
The score was still 0-0 at the time, with the Reds largely on top against their opponents. And Hughton says it was for that reason he didn’t make many alterations.
Boss' verdict
Boss Chris Hughton admitted Nottingham Forest were made to pay for not taking their chances, as they fell 2-0 at Barnsley.
It was the Reds’ second defeat under Hughton, coming on the back of successive wins prior to the international break.
The visitors had been the better side for much of the afternoon at Oakwell, despite their opponents hitting the bar on three occasions.
Miguel Angel Guerrero spurned two golden opportunities to score, while Joe Lolley and Lyle Taylor both forced good saves, and Ryan Yates had a header ruled out.
Forest were left rueing those moments when a fine strike from Callum Styles and a close-range effort from Cauley Woodrow clinched three points for the Tykes late on.
Fans' thoughts
Nottingham Forest were punished by two late goals as the slipped to another defeat at Barnsley.
Beaten at Oakwell late last season, they have now lost there twice already this term as the Reds were made to pay for missed chances.
The home side hit the crossbar twice in the opening 16 minutes, with Cauley Woodrow and Conor Chaplin seeing well-struck efforts cannon off the woodwork.
The Reds should have found the net themselves before the break.
Player ratings
Missed chances proved costly for Nottingham Forest as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Barnsley
Boss Chris Hughton could take plenty of positives away from his side’s display, but a late, quickfire double from Callum Styles and Cauley Woodrow meant they returned empty-handed.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Oakwell.
