Forest needed to cash in on dream opening
NOTTINGHAM Forest were left frustrated at not coming away with all three points as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Reading.
Philip Zinckernagel got the Reds off to the perfect start at the Madejski Stadium, netting a stunning goal inside the opening five minutes.
Forest needed some strong saves from Brice Samba to keep them in front at the break, though, as the Royals grew into the game.
Lewis Grabban missed a great chance to make it 2-0 in the second half, being left to rue that missed opportunity as Scott Dann went on to level from a corner.
And although the visitors did create some decent chances to take the lead again, they had to settle for a stalemate on their return from the international break.
Here’s what head coach Steve Cooper said at the full-time whistle.
What are your thoughts on the result and performance?
“We had a really good start to the game. A brilliant start to the game. I felt we could have capitalised on that.
“We got into some good positions, but our technique and our decisionmaking let us down to create more opportunities to go 2-0 up.
“They played well. They’ve got a load of good players and play with a good tactical idea. We prepared well for that. We always knew we would have to manage both sides of the game.
“We had to talk about a few things at half-time, which in general we did quite well.
“Brice made a couple of saves in the first half, but they were saves he should make - and one of them was offside.
“We were disappointed to concede off a set-piece. But, to be fair to the boys, they created two or three really good chances after that which we should have scored with.
“Reading were good in the game, we were good in the game, both teams were trying to win. We’ve created the real chances in the game.
“It’s all still going off in my head and I’m trying to summarise it. “I loved the effort from the boys. “I always think about what we could do better and I just felt we could have played with a little bit more control. We got in loads of good positions to score a few today.
“The lads have worked hard, but they have come off a little bit frustrated that we’ve not won.”
Are they the kind of chances Lewis Grabban normally scores?
“The one off the line is brilliant defending. He did amazing to get to the position to shoot.
“There was also a really good save from Brennan (Johnson) at the end. A really good save, I have to say.
“There was one where Lewis went round the goalkeeper. Jimmy (James Garner) had one where he didn’t get a connection on it. The list goes on. There was a couple of attacking setpieces which we got first contact on.
“Reading are a good team. I saw them last year when they just missed out on the play-offs. They’ve got a load of good players. They were at home.
“I’m waffling, really, we just need to take the point and move on.”
What did you think of the goal you did score?
“It was a brilliant goal from Phil. He’s very capable of that.
“He works hard every day on his attacking play and his finishing. I’m pushing him a little bit more to have more of those moments.
“You want your number 10 doing things like that; that’s their job, to get into areas, look exciting, be brave and take risks.”
How is Max after he went off?
“I think he’s hurt his groin. We don’t know how bad it is. He’s certainly going to be out for Tuesday and probably Friday.
“I can’t say for sure, because we’ve only just walked off the pitch, but that’s how it seemed.
“He’s a bit down, to be honest, which is understandable.”
Did you think about swapping Jack Colback to left-back when Max went off?
“It was definitely a decision and something to think about. I just felt we needed Jack in midfield today. We needed his experience.
“If you think about his interceptions and his positional play, the crosses which were coming in and how he read the game, his turnovers, his passing, his composure at times... Jack is our experienced head
in there.
“Yatesy (Ryan Yates) was excellent. Jack was a proper footballer today, I was really pleased with him.”
How do you think Gaetan Bong did when he came on?
“I thought he did fine. “Our job every day is to try to prepare everybody to be in the best place possible for the next game.
“For some, it’s a bit of maintenance work, because they are playing week in, week out, playing every single minute.
“Other lads are on and off and then others haven’t played at all some of that has just been because they’ve been a bit unfortunate.
“But we know injuries and suspensions are going to come and maybe we need to change some things tactically or things like that. That’s when you need your squad.
“Those lads who haven’t played need to be ready and stay ready.”
How big a blow could it be if Max is out for a while?
“It would be a blow. To lose any of the boys would be a blow.
“Alex (Mighten) didn’t start today because he had a bit of a niggle. We just about got him ready, with a fitness test. Even thinking that he was going to be out, you were thinking, we don’t want to be losing any players.
“That’s just the nature of the schedule, the league we play in and the sport as well.”