Reds rise to boss’ challenge to claim a big win
GOALS from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson made it three wins in a row for Nottingham Forest as they came from behind to beat Hull City 2-1.
Steve Cooper’s side have now gone nine games unbeaten and moved to within a point of the playoff places with victory at the City Ground.
They dominated the first half but fell behind to Keane Lewis-potter’s strike just before the break.
Substitute Alex Mighten earned a penalty soon after the restart, but was injured in the process – with the winger following defender Jordi Osei-tutu in being forced into an early exit.
Nevertheless, Grabban was cool from the spot. The striker then turned provider to tee up Johnson for the winner.
Here’s what the Reds boss had to say at the final whistle.
What are your thoughts on the game?
“I thought we were excellent first half, with our build-up play and our positioning.
“We caused real problems for Hull to get to grips with the game. The challenge is to turn that into chances and goals.
“Hull scored a good goal. It was soft from our point of view and always will be.
“But to come in at half-time, knowing that you’ve dominated but are 1-0 down, can sometimes be a difficult one to handle, especially as we got an injury and had to change shape.
“But the response from the players in the second half was fantastic.
“Alex did brilliantly to win the penalty. That’s what we asked him to do – face people up and get in the box. Unfortunately, as a consequence, he had to come off injured.
“And then Lewis did brilliantly down the side, Brennan shows amazing composure and finish. It looked really good live. I haven’t seen it back but, hopefully, it looks even better.
“You have to show the desire, the personality and the passion to see out the win.
“You have to stand up and be counted, and we did.”
Was there a bit of frustration at half-time at being behind?
“A little bit, because we played really well.
“We had to stay composed and focused in the dressing room. We had to push the lads a little bit to rise to the challenge. And they did.
“What we didn’t do is feel sorry for ourselves and say, ‘oh, we’re playing really well and we’re getting beat.’
“We accepted it and we faced up to the challenge.”
That’s three wins in a row and nine unbeaten, you must be delighted with that form.
“It’s good form. But it’s only good if you keep it going.
“We got a really tough game coming up now against Middlesbrough, who are playing well. I watched them in the live game before ours, and they deserved to win that one.
“Hopefully, our injuries are okay. We’re hoping they are just contact ones that the lads can quicky get over.
“But if they are not, no problem, next man up and we go to work.”
It’s been suggested football should take a circuit-breaker. What are your thoughts?
“The most important thing is the health of everybody. That’s the most important thing.
“I really think it’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.
“I don’t think anybody has got the perfect answer. I certainly haven’t.
“I don’t really want to say too much, apart from I hope everyone stays safe, partifulcalry our supporters, players and staff.
“If we can keep football going, with people coming to watch us here, then that will be really, really good.
“Albeit I was at another club through the pandemic, I know the importance football had to people during that time. I think everybody felt that.
“The players will be reminded of that every day and at every game.
“Coming back from 1-0 down at half-time when you’ve played so well is difficult and it would have been even harder if the fans weren’t here.
“I think it could have been a different story if we didn’t have 25,000 of them driving us on. So many people I talk to say it’s an event coming to Forest because of the status of the club and how big it is.
“Everybody’s health must come first, but I hope our fans can keep coming to games, because they’re so important for us and I also know how important going to football is for everybody.”
We had to push the lads a little bit to rise to the challenge. And they did Reds head coach Steve Cooper