Sky Bet Championship: Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce says Derby draw was fair
Sunday 14 September 2014 16:24, UK
Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce admitted a point was a fair reflection after his side battled to a 1-1 draw against fierce rivals Derby County.
Britt Assombalonga fired Forest ahead on 72 minutes after a lack of glaring opportunities on goal for both teams, only for Ryan Shotton to scramble home an equaliser just eight minutes later.
Derby had Jake Buxton dismissed late on for a second yellow card but Pearce had no complaints with the result as Forest maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
"A draw was probably a fair result. I thought it was a real scrappy affair, a typical derby match," he told Sky Sports.
"I think both sides lacked a bit of real quality to get on the ball and play.
"We’ll probably be more disappointed than they are because we’re the home side and we were hoping to take the points today.
"Credit to Derby – they made it difficult, they’re a very good side. We just felt that we didn’t get a foothold in the game for any continued period.
"I don’t think we showed enough devilment. I think maybe the occasion - as it tends to do at times in derby matches –gets the better of players.
"But we’re hopefully going to have a few big games this season."
Pearce was forced into making two first-half changes as both Chris Cohen and Andy Reid limped off with injury, and he hopes neither will prove to be too serious.
"They’re key players to us – the engine room of our midfield," he said.
"Reidy can find a pass and get us a goals from nothing and then obviously Chris Cohen, the club captain.
"We’re just hoping they’re not as bad – certainly in Chris’ case – as we feel as though it might be.
"If you have to make two substitutions in the first half that negates anything you might do in the second to freshen it up."
Pearce also hailed summer signings Assombalonga and Michail Antonio as the pair continued their impressive start to the campaign, combining for Forest’s goal.
Pearce said: "They’ve been outstanding for us this season. Britt works tirelessly for the team and obviously he’s a goal threat.
"The other side of that is Antonio, I think he destroyed their right back in the first half when we gave him possession of the ball.
"They’re a handful, both of them, and great professionals as well."
Asked what it was like to manage in an East Midlands derby, Pearce replied: "I prefer to play if I’m honest.
"It’s good. The atmosphere here was as good as I’ve ever seen it, even from my playing days.
"Credit to both sets of fans for making it that way."
