Forest need more self-belief to get on right track
CHRISTIE SAYS REDS ARE SHORT OF CONFIDENCE
NOTTINGHAM Forest defender Cyrus Christie admits a lack of confidence has become an issue for the struggling side.
The Reds had gone three games unbeaten under new manager Chris Hughton, with one win and two draws from his opening salvo after replacing Sabri Lamouchi.
However, that steady momentum was eradicated on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat away against Middlesbrough as Forest put in a performance arguably reminiscent of the final days of Hughton’s predecessor.
Right-back Cyrus Christie, who admitted culpability for the winning goal, says belief has taken a hit with the team picking up only six points from nine games after the nightmare end to last season.
“I think there’s definitely a bit of confidence lacking,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“I think you can probably see that from the outset. At times, where we could play a bit more and be a bit more patient on the ball, we’re not really doing it.
“Options aren’t there for us at the minute.
“We’re still getting used to the manager and he hasn’t really had time to work on that kind of stuff because the games are coming thick and fast.
“It’s not really ideal timing. “But we as players have to take responsibility for our performances and what we’re doing out there.
“We’ve got to put on the performance to get the result. We have to do better as individuals.”
In something of a chicken and egg situation, Forest’s horrendous record of going behind in games could have damaged confidence – or a lack of a confidence could be a reason for them consistently conceding the first goal.
Regardless, Forest have now conceded the first goal in 12 of the last 13 games, with the exception being in the 1-0 win away against Blackburn Rovers, when they scored in the 90th minute.
On-loan Fulham defender Christie feels the defensive foundations are nonetheless there but Forest have to sharpen up the attacking side of their game to turn their form around.
“We’ve had chances over the last few games and haven’t been clinical enough,” he said.
“The previous three games, we conceded from set-plays.
“We’re not allowing many chances. Defensively, we have a good structure.
“It’s just about the attacking side of it now. We need to get that right. “It’s not for the want of trying. “As players, we’re trying to take that responsibility. It’s just not coming off for us.
“But at some point it will click. “We have to keep being confident and trust ourselves.
“If we had got the first goal on Saturday, it could have been different. There was a great block from Miguel and Yatesy had a header. “It’s those fine margins. “Once we get it right, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”