‘No excuses’ for Forest’s Derby loss – Warburton

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton has admitted that his side’s performance in the 2-0 defeat to Derby at the weekend was not good enough, saying there are ‘no excuses’ for their ineffectual display.

The visitors fell behind to Matej Vydra’s strike after just 24 seconds at Pride Park yesterday, and Warburton’s men were never able to recover – David Nugent adding another goal in the second half.

And while Forest’s Barrie McKay twice went close – hitting the post and being denied by Scott Carson – Warburton could have little complaint at the result come the full time whistle.

And the former Rangers boss admitted as much after the game: “The players are hurting. To give away a goal in the first minute is disappointing, and although it was a good finish we didn’t get close enough to Vydra,” he told the club’s official website.

“We responded really well to that, we dominated the play and we created chance after chance.

“There are no excuses, though, as we have to take those chances. Goals change games and we can’t keep coming to tough venues, dominate the game, look really good but go away with no rewards.

“I can’t stand in front of our fans and say it was a good performance because we’ve lost 2-0 and I know how much it means to them.

“I’m deeply frustrated for the players but also for the supporters because I know how much today meant to them – the lads are devastated that they couldn’t give them the right result in such a big game.”

The result leaves Forest one point behind their opponents in 14th in the Championship table, with Burton Albion visiting the City Ground in their next fixture.