MX23RW : Thursday, December 30 17:24:49| >> :600:197423:197423:

New boss Steve Cooper encouraged by display as Nottingham Forest hold Millwall

New boss Steve Cooper encouraged by display as Nottingham Forest hold Millwall
© Reuters
Max Lowe's second-half equaliser ensured Forest finished the match with a point.

Head coach Steve Cooper pledged that there is more to come from his Nottingham Forest side after seeing them hold Millwall to a 1-1 draw in his first game in charge.

It needed a fortunate goal from Max Lowe seven minutes into the second half for the home side to cancel out a 32nd-minute header from Millwall forward Matt Smith.

But a draw was the least Forest deserved as they collected their first point at the City Ground this season.

"We did get into good positions, we did get down the side of Millwall's back-three. We could have done better with the final pass, we could have created more chances," said Cooper, who replaced Chris Hughton at the helm.

"But we will do that because we have ability in the team and I want to get players on the pitch who can really hurt the opposition, particularly here.

"We will try to win every game we play, that is the mentality we are going to have. But the quality will get better in time because we definitely have the ability.

"It was a tough game but one in which there were a lot of moments. If Lewis Grabban had scored his chance early on it might have been different. We had planned to stop crosses because we knew about Matt Smith and how he can make a difference when the ball is delivered in the air, so that was a disappointing goal to concede.

"But when you are losing you either accept it and get beaten or you roll your sleeves up and fight. We did not quite finish the task by winning the game but we got back in the game.

"There was an amazing atmosphere and we have a set of supporters who really want to get behind this team and we have to do our bit on the pitch. Today has really whetted my appetite for what is ahead."

Smith's towering header had put the visitors in front during a first half in which both sides had limited threat, but Forest levelled when Lowe's cross looped over the head of visiting goalkeeper Bart Bialkowski and into the net off the inside of the far post.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett felt his team could have taken all three points, with Smith also hitting the bar in the second half.

"It was a difficult game but I thought we might have won it," said Rowett. "We saw them win at Huddersfield playing this formation but we were not sure how they would do things today.

"We knew the atmosphere here is always excellent and in the first 15 minutes you have to stand up to it. On the whole we did that, aside from that one chance for Grabban.

"We controlled large parts of the first half and scored an excellent goal. It was the first time we had put a quality ball into the box, through Sheyi Ojo, and Matt is always there when you do that.

"We should have scored again before half-time and we never really looked to be in too much trouble until the end. In the first five minutes of the second half we allowed them a couple of chances, we allowed them back into the game.

"They got a massive stroke of fortune because Max Lowe clearly tried to cross the ball. You could see by his reaction afterwards that he did not mean it. It was the only place he could have put the ball, where it was possible for him to score."

ID:465422:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5065:

Click here for more stories about Steve Cooper

Click here for more stories about Millwall

How you voted: Nott'm Forest vs Millwall

Nottingham Forest
50.0%
Draw
30.0%
Millwall
20.0%
60
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic scores against Birmingham City on September 15, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Bristol City vs. Fulham
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth24137438201846
2Fulham23136451193245
3Blackburn RoversBlackburn24136543281545
4West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom24118530181241
5Middlesbrough2511682924539
6Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2410683129236
7Queens Park RangersQPR2210573328535
8Stoke CityStoke2210572621535
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest249783227534
10Coventry CityCoventry239772927234
11Millwall238962524133
12Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd229582928132
13Blackpool2586112632-630
14Luton TownLuton227873127429
15Preston North EndPreston227782428-428
16Swansea CitySwansea227692631-527
17Birmingham CityBirmingham2376102230-827
18Bristol City2376102635-927
19Hull City2365122028-823
20Cardiff CityCardiff2264122539-1422
21Reading2283112734-721
22Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2354142044-2419
23Barnsley2428141636-2014
24Derby CountyDerby2361071921-27

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!