MAURICE Malpas is not one for reputations but, after seeing his Town side narrowly lose out to a former European champion on Saturday, he admits that a winning mentality still needs to be drilled into his players.
For the majority of the League One clash at a packed City Ground, Town more than held their own against their illustrious opponents but, whenever the ball was worked into Forest's final third, all belief seemed to drain away.
Even then a point was the least the visitors deserved with the raw pace of striker Nathan Tyson ultimately proving the difference between the sides and putting a dagger in the hearts of Town's fading play-off aspirations.
Boss Malpas is the first to accept pace is a luxury his side are lacking offensively but is still adamant, with a bit more belief and quality in the final ball, his side are just as good as Colin Calderwood's promotion-chasing Forest.
Tyson's 51st-minute winner was a show of his electric pace, as he sped between Jerel Ifil and Miguel Comminges, to slot the winner under Peter Brezovan from a tight angle.
But, that and a bright next five minutes apart, Town could not be blamed for returning home to Wiltshire wondering how they were not celebrating a point at least.
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Malpas said: "I have a belief in the team but until they get my belief in games like this we will fall short. It is 11 guys against 11 guys and until they forget that reputation we will fall short. Reputations count for nothing.
"If someone had said that we would come here and just give away a couple of chances then you would probably say we have done well.
"But that is the type of person I am, I don't think we have done well because we have lost. It was a game we could have taken something from.
"It is a mental thing as opposed to anything else. I just have to keep drilling it into the players. At the end of the game let's push on and try and get something from the game."
Town's preparations for the eagerly-awaited trip to Nottingham were hit with the morning withdrawal of Lee Peacock, forcing Malpas to throw Craig Easton straight back into the centre of the midfield after six games out with a calf injury.
Malpas also chose Blair Sturrock ahead of Moses Ashikodi in attack and in the opening exchanges a healthy away following would have started dreaming about recording a famous victory.
The visitors dominated possession for the first 20 minutes but, a couple of Jon-Paul McGovern shots apart, Town struggled to hurt Forest when they entered the final third.
The hosts were not much better though as, despite the pacey strike pairing Junior Agogo and Tyson, Brezovan was only forced into one meaningful save in the opening 45 minutes, punching away a fierce Lewis McGugan strike.
It was much the same after the break, with defences coming out on top, but the decisive moment of inspiration came from the man who looked most likely, Tyson, and that was that.
"We never showed enough urgency in the last 10 minutes to go and get something from the game," said Malpas. "We get a free kick late in the game and one of our best headers of the ball does not want to go up. That is something we have to work on. It is a mental thing, what happens if we lose 2-0? Nothing.
"We might as well lose 2-0 while trying to get the equaliser. I never felt there was enough urgency to go and get something. One or two were probably saying 1-0 is a decent result at Forest but it isn't, it is a bad result because we got beat.
"We have to get that never-say-die mentality. With 10 minutes to go the really good teams always seem to get a goal. They play poorly but somehow get a result.
It is something we have to keep battling away with."
What is all this 'winning mentality' rubbish? It's like what we've heard with the England team. I cannot believe that when you play football you do not go out there to win every match. OK so maybe if you're Oxford and you go to Man Utd then maybe it's a bit stupid to think you would win, but in 99% of the matches you play every season you do have a chance to win. Otherwise what's the point in playing? It's unbelievable and just an excuse when things aren't going well.
What is all this 'winning mentality' rubbish? It's like what we've heard with the England team. I cannot believe that when you play football you do not go out there to win every match. OK so maybe if you're Oxford and you go to Man Utd then maybe it's a bit stupid to think you would win, but in 99% of the matches you play every season you do have a chance to win. Otherwise what's the point in playing? It's unbelievable and just an excuse when things aren't going well.
Posted by: colin.a, Northants on 9:34am Mon 18 Feb 08
I thought there were two incredibly bad teams playing on Saturday. That is why we were close to bringing back something. Forest were awful too! Having seen them twice this season I find it incredible they are in the position they are in. Perhaps it shows the lack of quality in this division.
I thought there were two incredibly bad teams playing on Saturday. That is why we were close to bringing back something. Forest were awful too! Having seen them twice this season I find it incredible they are in the position they are in. Perhaps it shows the lack of quality in this division.
Posted by: mgstfc, chippenham on 9:58am Mon 18 Feb 08
We have been getting a lot of "spin" lately. Cliche sound bites might be a more accurate assessment of post and pre match comments. I understand the players and manager can only answer a reporters questions but I, for one, would like to see more answers coming from the pitch as opposed from the media....
We have been getting a lot of "spin" lately. Cliche sound bites might be a more accurate assessment of post and pre match comments. I understand the players and manager can only answer a reporters questions but I, for one, would like to see more answers coming from the pitch as opposed from the media....
Posted by: Red Phil, Silverstone on 12:24pm Mon 18 Feb 08
What has happened to the organisation in defence? We looked awful on Saturday - players being drawn out of position and distribution was dreadful. No midfield presence - JP looked slow and out of sorts and attack was largely toothless. The only players to come out with any credit were Billy Paynter, particularly first half and Peter Breznovan, although I didn't think he should have been caught out at such a tight angle with the goal - he positioned himself for a cross. Why is our best ball player Sofi Zaboub left as sub? He's got more assists than anyone and is one of the few players who can take players on and create opportunities. Very unimpressive game, poor tactics. Worrying.
What has happened to the organisation in defence? We looked awful on Saturday - players being drawn out of position and distribution was dreadful. No midfield presence - JP looked slow and out of sorts and attack was largely toothless. The only players to come out with any credit were Billy Paynter, particularly first half and Peter Breznovan, although I didn't think he should have been caught out at such a tight angle with the goal - he positioned himself for a cross. Why is our best ball player Sofi Zaboub left as sub? He's got more assists than anyone and is one of the few players who can take players on and create opportunities. Very unimpressive game, poor tactics. Worrying.
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