Hughton happy to see Forest refuse to lie down
MANAGER HAS NO ARGUMENT OVER RED CARD
NOTTINGHAM Forest made it four games unbeaten under Chris Hughton as they came from behind to draw 1-1 away against Luton Town in the Championship on Wednesday night.
Glen Rea scored at both ends of the pitch, as his second half own goal cancelled out his 22nd-minute opener for the Hatters.
Following a poor first 45 minutes, the Reds were much better after the break, despite being reduced to 10 men as Nicholas Ioannou was sent off just before the interval.
Here’s what Forest boss Hughton had to say afterwards.
Was a point fair? What did you make of the result and performance?
”I’ve got a group who put in what they needed to put in, in that second half.
“We made it difficult, with Luton scoring early, but I’m really delighted with what they put in.
“Overall, I think the fact we restricted a Luton side which played for so long with 11 men against 10, to minimal chances was pleasing.
“We deserved what we got.”
Did you worry they’d come close to winning it at the end, when Brice Samba saved from Jordan Clark?
“That was one which was really disappointing.
“If they had scored that, it would have been an incredibly down changing room, because we had done so much in the second half to get back in the game – and deservedly get back in the game.
“It was a different type of performance in the second half and to just let it go at the end would have been difficult to take.
“But we fought and deserved a point.”
What was your view on the sending off?
“I have seen it again. “There was no doubt that Nic, in his endeavours to play the ball, does roll over the top of the ball.
“I don’t have any complaints with it.
“My only thoughts on it are, from what I see, I can’t imagine the ref
eree would have got that good a view on it. And the linesman was a fair bit away.
“Whether he was influenced by the reaction of the Luton players, I don’t know.
“But I don’t have any problems with the sending off, just the manner of it.
“When you see it, there’s no malice in what he’s done. Absolutely not.
“It was a clear attempt to win the ball and one that he’s just misjudged slightly.
“But I’m absolutely convinced there’s no malice in there.”
Is there any concern that it’s been three games in a row where the first half hasn’t been great and then you’ve improved in the second half?
“In the four games I’ve been involved in, I actually thought that was the best we’d started.
“I thought we started the game really brightly.
“It’s about getting that first goal, though. So is that a problem? Yes, because it means you’re chasing games if not.
“We need to try to put on a performance in the first half which allows us to get that first goal.
“The other part, which a manager always likes to see, is there’s a lot of endeavour in the side. They’re not prepared to lie down and have come back into games.
“But we do need to try to get that first goal.”
There was no Harry Arter in the squad, is he injured?
“He tweaked his ankle on Monday.
“He came out to train on Tuesday and we thought he was going to be okay.
“And then it was quite clear that he wasn’t.
“It’s minimal, but whether he’ll be involved or available on Saturday, I don’t know.
“But it seems very minimal.”