Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi says his side’s defeat to Wigan Athletic is a “good example” to learn from.
It was only the second time this season the Reds have been beaten - and the first time on the road - as Jamal Lowe’s first half strike proved the difference at the DW Stadium.
They will look to get back on track in successive home games against Hull City and Reading, on Wednesday and Saturday respectively, with Lamouchi eager for his team to quickly move on.
“This is a good example for the future, because if you give an easy opportunity for the opponent, they will punish you,” the Frenchman said.
“We created a lot, we missed a lot and for the first time we didn’t come back in the game.
“We must accept and forget this one, and think about the next one quickly, because we have two games at home.
“We have to take the right decision.
“I think it is good to have another game quickly.
“After two weeks’ rest, to come back in the league in this way, it is not very positive.
“But now we have the next one in a few days’ time.”
Lamouchi had made five changes to his starting line-up in the north west and defended his decisions, despite a below par first half from his team.
Rafa Mir was preferred to top scorer Lewis Grabban up front, making his first Championship start.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee had a couple of good chances, most notably a header before the break.
Asked if a lack of game time showed, Lamouchi said: “I don’t think so. You will ask me the same question if he had scored? But he didn’t score, so at the end you are right.
“We didn’t change it for change’s sake, it was because we have three games in six days. We will play Hull with one day less recovery and it will be the same against Reading.
“I need to manage my players - especially the players who can make a difference - like I did with Grabban.
“This was my decision. Maybe wrong. Probably. I don’t know.
“But if we had scored at least one of the many chances we created, I would be saying something different now.”
There was also a first league start for midfielder John Bostock, who made only his fourth appearance in the Garibaldi - and his first since August.
Like Mir, he was as Grabban and Tiago Silva entered the fray.
“It was also not easy for him because he hasn’t played a lot,” Lamouchi said of Bostock.
“I put him in because I trust in his quality.
“We didn’t play like I want.
“Afterwards, I tried to change it. Maybe it was too late, I don’t know. Maybe I was wrong from the beginning. Probably. But I don’t think so.”
Forest had started with a 4-4-2 formation against the Latics, with Sammy Ameobi partnering Mir up front. But Lamouchi says it is unlikely to be a position the former Bolton Wanderers man regularly finds himself in.
“No, I don’t think so,” the Reds boss said when asked if Ameobi could play there more often. “It was just on Sunday for this situation.
“But we didn’t play like we played before and like we usually play. We missed a lot.”
