Boss Mick McCarthy said his players were all devastated after former Blue Liam Trotter netted a last minute equaliser as Town suffered final moments heartbreak at the City Ground for the second year running. Jonny Parr had given the Blues - who drew 2-2 in last season’s corresponding fixture - the lead with 16 minutes remaining.

“They’re all devastated, they’re all flat, really very, very disappointed,” McCarthy said. “There’s nothing I could say that would make them feel better or worse.

“I haven’t got any words of comfort. I haven’t got any soothing words and I don’t think I needed to be giving anybody any stick.

“It’s one of those, Gerks gets his hand on it, it’s just Johnny on the spot. We managed to block it but it’s Trotter that puts it in. Strikes me it’s Sod’s Law that."

He added: “I think we should have hung on. We shouldn’t have let them out of the corner. That’s what’s cost us, when the ball came in our our box.

“Maybe it’s just the way things are going, it falls to Johnny on the spot. We’ve even blocked it on the line and it falls for Trotter. Sod’s law that.”

Having made several important saves, including a superb stop from Trotter in the first half, McCarthy says keeper Dean Gerken was inconsolable after the match.

“Gerks is sat with his head in his hands, but he’s been fabulous, Gerks. At the time, I would imagine like everybody else when he comes and gets his hand on it he thinks he’s done great.

“But, of course, he collides with Christophe and they’re all on the floor, but I’m not going to be pointing the blame at him for it.”

He says the goal came from Town's failures further up the pitch: “They got a lot of bodies in the box. I don’t think we should have let them out of the corner. Their throw-in in their right-back slot should never have got into the left wing spot.

“We should have nailed that down and we didn’t, we missed a couple of tackles up there. Even if you give a foul away, so be it.”

Despite the late disappointment McCarthy was pleased with the overall performance: “I thought we played well enough. I thought they shaded the first half and we shaded the second, to be honest

“Having got the goal and not really having had to hold on, I think we should have won it. But, hey ho, it’s just the way things are going at the moment.

“We [made the other keeper make a few saves] and we probably didn’t make the most of some of the other chances, but I think they’d probably be saying the same.”

All 10 outfield players celebrated Parr's goal together, which illustrated the team spirit at the club which McCarthy says has never been in any doubt despite the current run of form.

“There’s no doubting the team spirit an the camaraderie amongst the players,” he continued. “I get that when it’s not going well the first thing that's said is ‘The manager’s lost the dressing room…’

“I never ever have lost the dressing room anywhere. We might lose games. The team spirit’s fabulous. I thought it was a good performance. But when we had the stranglehold on, we shouldn’t have let go.”

McCarthy started David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy and Freddie Sears together for the first time, which he says gives him flexibility.

“I could do both, go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, it suited us either way. I went to 4-4-2 in the second half and I thought we caused them a lot of problems.

“I thought the performance was good and the performance from players was good but it doesn’t feel like that now because we’d just lost two points with a minute to go.”

He felt playing the three frontmen gave Forest problems: “It worked to a certain degree. How are Murph and Didz going to get better? I guess only through playing.

“But it’s only if they’re the best ones, that’s the way it is. Freddie’s been outstanding. We can go 4-4-2 off that shape, which we did actually and probably had more chances late on in the second half at 4-4-2.”"

He says he may do the same again: “Possibly, because it’s a fairly threatening strike force in anybody’s book. We’ll just have to take a look at it, work at it and see if it’s going to suit us.”

The Blues lost Jonas Knudsen and Cole Skuse to injuries and says both will benefit from Town not having a game in midweek: “He’s damaged his hamstring, Jonas. You don’t run those off and we’ll have to see the extent of that on Monday morning and see.

“Skusey rocked his ankle that caused him to miss the game on Tuesday night, so that’s quite clearly that’s an ongoing thing, so it’s good that we haven’t got a game this week until Saturday, certainly for Skusey. It might give him a chance to be fit. I don’t know about Jonas.

“It’s been a tough week for everybody, just with the games we’ve had. So it might be nice for the lads to rest their limbs and get ready for two home games.”

Forest manager Dougie Freedman felt his side ought to have been in front at the break but in the end was happy to accept the point.

“After they scored we regrouped and put the pressure back on them," he said.

“We changed it around a little bit, and at least we got a point out of the game.

“We should have been at least 3-0 up at half-time. It’s a common theme right now that our good performances aren’t getting the right result.”

Regarding debutant goalscorer Liam Trotter, he added: “I thought he was excellent today. He came into the group and kept on going right to the end.

“He deserved his goal for a fantastic debut and a great performance.”

Photo: Action Images

sirmichealmills added 19:32 - Oct 24 3 shots on target? And that's "causing them a lot of problems". It's time for a reality check, were STILL just an average championship side, and unless Mr Evans invests some decent money into the team that's all we ever will be, I don't mind MM, I like him, seems like a nice bloke, but it's the same old problems that he can't / won't sort out. And before all the "where would we be" mob come out and say look at all the money Evans has put it / it's not your money etc, don't keep telling supporters all the still "aiming for the premiership" cr@p. Ps. Is it me or does no other club ever seem to care about FFP as much as we seem to ?

8

halsteadblue added 19:32 - Oct 24 MM says Gerks been fabulous,that just about says it all..........ABSOLUTE BONKERS......May I suggest you take a look at the stats Micky boy since that clown you call a goalkeeper came into the side,coincidence I think not..........
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Essexnblue added 19:38 - Oct 24 Keyboard warriors are at it again. Fairly good summing up by Mick but for those that were there they will agree that Gerken looked solid throughout and made a couple of excellent saves. Sears signalled twice to the bench to come off thats why he was removed as some are spouting this was Micks decision, overall this was a better performance than some I have seen and the players were gutted absolutely gutted to only get a point. Forget the service to Murphy slating, he doesnt look capable of scoring and has very poor body language.

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Carberry added 19:50 - Oct 24 I've just watched the Sky highlights and if they shaded the first half I'd hate to see us get dominated. They had 4 or 5 chances and we had nothing according to this. I'm afraid that highlighting the players' disappointment must not disguise selection and tactical shortcomings.
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Keaneish added 19:56 - Oct 24 OK, i'll have a wager with you Bluefeast that we take 13 points from the next 5 games...
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Thetruth added 20:11 - Oct 24 No mention of Tommy Smith? Do people really rate him? He costs us games last season and has carried it on this year, Mick loves the bloke. Might be a great bloke off the field but when it costs our team games on the field surely it can't carry on? First half for him was a shocker...! We need him dropped and Bart surely has to be picked before Gerken Hate to say it but we punched above our weight last season for the group we had, everyone thought we had gone up a level but I think we are worse, a lot worse. Cuts you deep when your team struggles

2

TimmyH added 20:12 - Oct 24 The lads are devastated but so are we Mick at the performances and results of nearly the last 2 months. The bigger picture to me shows a manager desperate to cling on to 3 points and hence numerous times he will take off strikers only to be replaced by defensive minded players. ANY team worth their salt would be able to see games out by retaining the ball and passing it about but unfortunately this is not in Mick's management ethos, if you have a bad defense do you allow the opponents on to you by putting more defensive players on and ultimately not allowing us to retain the ball? Too many time we give points away by blind panic led by the Yorkshire man on the sidelines in the closing minutes of games, we just don't come across as a mentally tough team.

22

Stato added 20:23 - Oct 24 Sorry Mick but your stubbornness on Gerken is going to cost us promotion and cost you your job.
20

blueherts added 20:35 - Oct 24 Murphy has not been on it since end of last season - Alabi deserves a run out Cannot wait for Bish to be back as we so need somebody in the middle capable of doing something positive The loss of our best player ( loanee Fraser) is a big one He created alot of attacking intent when he was on Without him we look very poor in the final third Sears . Murphy Dis and Pittman - On Paper - the best we have had in years !! on grass - hmmm

2

tpsontour added 20:40 - Oct 24 Quite apart from their eyes, which should tell them that Gerken is calamitous at commanding his area and dealing with crosses under pressure, does no-one on the coaching staff ever look at the stats on our keepers, which are equally blindingly obvious? Gerken 2015/16 Played 10 - 2 clean sheets - 18 goals conceded - 9 points won 2014/15 Played 16 - 3 clean sheets - 18 goals conceded - 22 points won Total Played 26 - 5 clean sheets - 36 goals conceded - 31 points won Clean sheet every 5.2 games 1.38 goals conceded per game 1.19 points won per game Barto 2015/16 Played 3 - 1 clean sheet - 3 goals conceded - 7 points won 2014/15 Played 30 - 9 clean sheets - 36 goals conceded - 56 points won Total Played 33 - 10 clean sheets - 39 goals conceded - 63 points won Clean sheet every 3.3 games 1.3 goals conceded per game 1.91 points won per game

19

Tufty added 20:49 - Oct 24 Maybe Gerks will catch a cold ( he doesn't catch a ball) And Bart will get back in. In the first half today Jonny parr was waiting for a goalie who just didn't arrive - not good enough basic goalkeeping command your area collect the ball whenever possible
2

gypo added 21:23 - Oct 24 There's alot on here are as deluded as Jimmy Liddle. Were not famous anymore get over it... Just support the team, manager and owner[who without him were f#cked] win lose or draw.
-8

MonterreyBlue added 21:34 - Oct 24 I just made a 10,000 mile round trip from Mexico to watch that, am also a little bit devastated.
4

OldClactonBlue added 21:47 - Oct 24 When might he notice that the success rate when we make substitutions to hold on to what we've got is non existent. "If you always do what you always did you always get what you always got" springs to mind. I know a goalkeeper somewhere scored last week but it is rare for teams to score when the ball is in their half.
1

essex57 added 21:49 - Oct 24 Gutted some positives though played much better overall football. Great support for Mm and TV. Chambers had a better game, for all those who need to find a scapegoat it was as much the fault of the forwards messing around with the ball they lost it then the rest is history. Blame Gerks as much as you like how can you say that Bart would of saved the 3 sitters that Gerks saved. Murphy really needs to be dropped he is so badly out of form.

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GiveusaWave added 22:31 - Oct 24 Important point at Forest. Pleased with the result. Gerken played well and produced some fabulous saves. Strikers weren't good enough for us and Murphy played a really, really poor game. Agree with Freedmans assessment of Liam Trotter. Man of the match today. Absolutely outstanding in central midfield and ran the show. Could have and should have scored 2 or 3 today.

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GiveusaWave added 22:36 - Oct 24 Anyone seen ArnieM? Been quiet a while now.
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alfromcol added 22:46 - Oct 24 Support at the game today was top class. Support on here is crap!
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Penguinblue added 23:02 - Oct 24 Usual pathetic drivel from McCarthy. Does he not realise how stupid he sounds? The change required at ITFC is to change this manager. How can anyone think he could take this club forward? He should be 'inspiring' a struggling League 2 team.
3

pablo123 added 23:05 - Oct 24 Monterrey blue , sorry mate you had towatch that rubbish after such a long trip !! I havnt missed a game yet this season but we got battered today AGAIN , and a win would av been a travesty on a really poor forest side !!
1

BrettenhamBlue added 23:08 - Oct 24 Will be a crucial point come the end of the season. Leaves us in a solid 13th place which I'm pleased with, especially given our recent performances. We are lucky that the bottom 3 are finding it nigh on impossible to pick up 3 points. Forest will be happy 2, it takes them 4 points clear of the relegation zone. That was one of the best performances from ITFC that I've seen in months.

1

pablo123 added 23:11 - Oct 24 Time to get your coat mick , ive had enough of this rubbish , long ball , negative football !!! What i wouldnt give to have the burley days back !!! I dont care what league we are in . I just wanna watch football again and have some hope !!!!!!!!!!!! Sir alf and sir bobby will turning in their graves at this sh*te
11

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 23:26 - Oct 24 The players are devastated? Try being a fan. It's like being in an abusive relationship. Oh, it will get better next week. Then we get slapped again and wonder what happened as we come back again for more abuse.
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truckerblue added 23:28 - Oct 24 @manualthetisfanclub. "He kept us in it until the mistake" A mistake or a flap every single game he plays. He's not upto it so there really is no defence for him. Gerken has to go no if bits or maybes about it.
1

MonterreyBlue added 23:29 - Oct 24 @pablo123 dont worry mate, my last game was Reading away lol
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