MURRAY AT THE DOUBLE
STRIKER BAGS A BRACE ON FULL DEBUT:
CHRIS Hughton hailed Glenn Murray’s impact at Nottingham Forest as the striker scored twice on his full debut to help seal a 3-0 away win against Wycombe Wanderers.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion forward, who has signed a permanent deal until the end of the season, opened his account with a wonderful finish, lobbing Chairboys keeper Ryan Allsop.
He then added Forest’s second from the penalty spot, having won the spot-kick himself when he was clipped inside the area.
Anthony Knockaert then wrapped the game up for the Reds with a stunning strike but all the questions after the game centred on Murray’s performance.
And Forest manager Hughton was full of praise for the 37-yearold as Forest secured a vital win in their bid to stay clear of the Championship’s relegation zone.
“He gives us that competition up top and that first goal he scored was a number nine’s goal,” said Hughton.
“He gives us experience out on the pitch and experience in the changing room, too.
“He is somebody who has been there and done it in this division.
“You want that to rub off on the players.
“The only way, as a player, to play to the age that Glenn is now, is if you have those type of qualities.
“That you can read the game well, you know your body, you know what you can do well and what you can’t.
“He has used that to the maximum effect and he is a player that has looked after himself.”
NOTTINGHAM Forest manager Chris Hughton was thrilled with the three points and a clean sheet at Adams Park.
The Reds celebrated a 3-0 away win against Wycombe Wanderers as striker Glenn Murray made an instant impact on his full debut with two goals, Anthony Knockaert adding the third
Here’s everything Hughton had to say to the media after the game:
■■What did you make of the performance and how pleased were you to win again after beating Coventry City in midweek?
It has been an important week for us because of the teams we have played and their positions in the league.
It has also been a big week because we had been on a good run which was stopped by Middlesbrough but we’ve bounced back really well.
Having worked hard to get three points at Coventry, it was vital that we came out with the same attitude to back that result up.
Wycombe are fighting for their place in this division and they showed lots of qualities.
So it was a really tough game for us and I’m delighted to have come through it with three goals and a clean sheet.
This season in particular is so competitive and that is why it’s so imperative that we continue to fight hard and try and win as many games as we can.
■■What can it do for Glenn getting off the mark so quickly and what did you make of his first goal?
Glenn is such a seasoned campaigner. He’ll be delighted. Firstly, because we’ve won the game and, secondly, because he’s come and been able to contribute.
That will be the most important thing because he’s always a player who thinks about the team first.
But I think to come here and score two goals, for a number nine that’s what they want to do.
His first goal was fabulous. Glenn is somebody that scores the majority of his goals inside the box and closer to the goal.
But it was a really technical finish and a wonderful goal.
It gave us a lift and I think we started the game really well but then we weren’t able to keep that momentum going (in the first half), which was a little bit disappointing.
■■Do you feel that the team’s playing the way you want them to play with the run that they are putting together?
It’s hard to say. It’s so competitive and I’d like to think that there’s more to come.
The games can fluctuate so much. If I’m looking at the last games we played, here we were up against a very direct and physical side and had that same type of game against Barnsley.
Against Barnsley we weren’t able to get the goals that won us the game. But here against Wycombe we did. There’s a balance as to how you can win games.
■■Glenn Murray will take a lot of plaudits for the goals but how pleased were you with the centrebacks?
I thought they were excellent and so was the goalkeeper, yet again.
I thought young James Garner in midfield did a great job of sitting in front of the back four because it’s not just about the two centre-backs, they have to be given protection.
I thought we also closed the ball down well but I think we can be better on it too.
Defensively, for the things that we had to do against this type of opposition, we did really well.
■■What’s the latest on Lewis Grabban?
He has a very slight problem with his lower hamstring. We are very hopeful he will be able to train, not in the early part of the week, but the latter.
It’s definitely not one we are concerned about going forward.
■■How is Sammy Ameobi?
He felt his knee in the first half of the game last Tuesday, which is why he came off.
We thought that he might be fine but I think the turnaround was too was too quick. We’ll assess him again on Monday.