Forest’s spirit has Karanka smiling

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2018 by PA

Aitor Karanka praised the spirit of his Nottingham Forest side after seeing them grind out a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship win over battling Rotherham.

Lewis Grabban’s 86th-minute penalty finally broke the Millers’ resolve, on an afternoon when Paul Warne’s side had set themselves up to frustrate and contain their hosts.

Their plan worked perfectly, with Forest only allowed rare sights of goal – right up until Ben Osborn had his heels clipped in the box by Ryan Williams.

Grabban was the coolest man in the City Ground as he netted from the spot against one of his former clubs, to secure a hard-fought three points.

Karanka said: “I knew that Rotherham would try to do exactly that. But today the problem was that we were physically and mentally tired.

“Three games in a week has been really intense. But in this Championship, it is important to win the games when you do not play to your best. We will keep going, we will keep working and we will keep improving.

“It was all about the result. It was important to win and to show the spirit of this team. The spirit of the team, now, is different. Everyone was fighting until the end.

“This was our third game in a week, we had one day less to rest than Rotherham. Sometimes it is not about being tired in your legs, it is about being tired in your head.

“It was a tough game. People expected an easy game. But I knew it was going to be difficult so, for that reason, I am really pleased.”

It was not a game that will live long in the memory, as Forest struggled to break down a Millers side that sat deep and defended stoically.

Karanka continued: “The players were tired and we tried to change things with substitutions and by changing our shape, because I wanted to win this game.

“We put Ben Osborn in the middle, because I wanted to be more attacking. We did not have a second striker but we changed the shape to be more offensive. And, in the end, he got the penalty for us.”

Forest’s Adlene Guedioura was slightly fortunate not to collect a second yellow card for a foul on Williams, early in the second half.

Millers boss Warne refused to complain about that decision and admitted the penalty decision was probably the right call as well.

He said: “I am proud of these players – that is my overall feeling.

“I am disappointed with a few things, as you always are when you have lost. But one mistake has cost us here. I think the goal was one of their only shots on target.

“I am not the sort of manager who comes out and blames the referee for results, that is pathetic.

“I think if you watch the highlights you can form your own opinion (over the Guedioura incident).

“There are turning points in games all the time and it was a big moment. But that is not why we have lost the game.

“I do not have any complaints about the penalty. I haven’t seen it back. But if it was down the other end, would I want a penalty? Darn right I would.

“Overall, the lads have given me everything. I am proud to be their manager. I feel sorry for them that they have come away with nothing, because they deserved something.”