Chris: It was hard work but I’m glad we got through it
Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton spoke to the media after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round. Here is a run through much of what he said...
What did you make of it?
“It was a battle and we at times perhaps made hard work of it. We scored a really good goal early in the game.
“We’ve spoken about that a lot. It’s nice to be able to hold on to a lead.
“I’m pleased to be through. It’s a clean sheet. I’m delighted with how we defended in that second half.
“We needed to defend the ball better and get in better areas. If you don’t then you’ll pile on that pressure.
“Cardiff were a strong team and they gave us the type of game we expected. We had to defend well.
“The ideal scenario is that you defend well and score goals. We’ve found scoring goals difficult.
“It’s something we’ll continue to work on. If we can’t get goals then we have to stay in games.
“What I was really pleased with was particularly the full-backs. Jenkinson and Bong haven’t played while I’ve been here so for them to come in and be part of a defensive unit that has done well speaks volumes for their approach to training and their attitudes.”
How good were Joe Worrall and Scott Mckenna at the back?
“I thought they were both excellent. We needed it.
“We’re open enough to admit we need to keep the ball better. We put pressure on ourselves, more than we would have liked.
“It made for a more uncomfortable game than we would have liked, particularly in the second half.
“I’m pleased for Jordan Smith in goal as well. We needed him.
“He was commanding and I thought he showed good hands, particularly with one shot that came at him.”
How impressed were you with those who came into the side after making eight changes?
“It’s not always easy because these are lads who aren’t consistently playing in under-23 games because of the timing of the games.
“They’ve not played any type of game for a good few weeks. That means they have to train hard.
“We’d like to think that what we do get right is the volume of training the extra players do. There’s no substitute for games.”
You left some players out of the squad entirely. Was that just to rest them?
“It was but also whenever I’m asked about this competition the question is are you taking it seriously? The answer is yes but you also have to get that balance between getting players ready.
“For instance, if Bongy or Carl Jenkinson are needed in the next game against Millwall, you want them to have minutes under their belt.
“The changes from the last game to this one are not dramatic. We have good competition in all positions.”
Will you be doing any transfer business in the next week?
“I don’t know. If you to push me I’d say no but you just don’t know.
“We really want to do something in January. That’s as regards bringing in and also lightening the squad a little bit.
“It’s hard work doing it and making sure whatever we do strengthens our squad, otherwise there is no point doing it.
“The ideal situation is to get whatever we want to do in early. That doesn’t always happen but with any work the earlier you can get it done (the better).
“We’ll still playing. It’s not like you have three or four weeks in January without games. Whatever you can do early is a real plus.”
How pleased are you that Anthony Knockaert is staying?
“It’s something we wanted to do. “Anthony hadn’t played regularly for a while. You’d like to think he’ll improve in the second half of the season. He’s still to find his consistent game. We know what he can bring.”
You let Nicholas Ioannou leave on loan this week. What was the thinking there?
Credit to Ioannou. He trained really well.
“His numbers were good but I came in with four left-backs. I can’t play them all.
“At this moment, Yuri Ribeiro is in that position and I think has done well for us. It allows us to lighten the squad a bit and gives Ioannou games.” always
How pleased are you to be in the next round of the FA Cup?
“We know it’s different circumstances with no fans but the FA Cup is the FA Cup.
“There’s still huge excitement when the draw comes out. I know it’s not a big one the supporters can look forward to but everyone still wants to be in the Cup.
“The longer you’re in it, the more chance at some stage the supporters will back in to see ties.”