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Klug: Players Didn't Deserve Kick in the Teeth
Saturday, 14th Apr 2018 18:17

Caretaker-manager Bryan Klug felt his players didn’t “deserve the kick in the teeth” as Nottingham Forest staged a late, late turnaround to defeat the Blues 2-1 at the City Ground.

“I thought it was a good away performance,” Klug, who was managing the team for the first time since taking temporary charge after Mick McCarthy’s departure, said.

“I thought we had a nice mixture of resilience, I forget the word used to describe it, but I thought we did that, and when we could I thought we tried to play, not always with as much success as we’d like but we had a fair bit of the ball.

“In the first half I didn’t think we created too much but obviously we got the goal. I thought in the second half we did have a few chances but didn’t get the crucial second goal and ultimately we paid for that really.

“We got a little bit deep, but until the penalty I wasn’t ultra-concerned. But there you are, that’s a harsh reality of football, isn’t it?

“In that dressing room back there, all I could say to them was ‘I don’t think you really deserved that, thank you for all your efforts’.

“I have to say since Tuesday when Mick left they’ve been in every way first class with us, with what we’ve tried to say to them, which is exactly what I expected, by the way. They didn’t deserve the kick in the teeth that we had there.”

Any complaints regarding the penalty? “I haven’t really had a look at it, it looked like we had a man the wrong side, I think it was Wardy was the wrong side.

“When you make a challenge in those circumstances you always give the referee an opportunity to give what he gave. But he seemed to be in a good position, the referee, so you have to take that.

“Then [for Forest to score the winner] with five seconds to go of the five additional minutes, that is unbelievable. All we can do is pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game.”

It was an up and down afternoon for Ward, who had put the Blues in front in the 38th minute.

“That’s Grant Ward, I guess,” Klug reflected. “Obviously he got the goal and I thought he did some really good things going forward.

“It was a risk and reward situation picking him in that position but obviously we were running out of players really, I thought he acquitted himself really well, I’m not going to criticise him.”

Klug previously played Ward in that position in their time together at the Tottenham academy.


“He hated it, he hated it when I played him at right-back,” Klug recalled. “I was trying to improve his defending. If he’d listened!”

The 57-year-old had taken charge of one training session prior to the game so says he was never going to revolutionise the way the side plays.

“You got exactly what you expected from the team, they’re not going to change, that’s how they’ve been playing for a long time and it’s a great quality to have, to be so competitive and stay in games,” he added.

“I thought when we did have the opportunity to play we did up to a point, but when you’re playing against a team in the Championship it’s really hard and Nottingham Forest have got some really good players.

“But I thought we created some good chances and some of that came from good football.”

Town played the ball around in spells and players were demanding it from the back three at times.

“There was a mixture, they have to be brave to do those kind of things, it’s easy for us in the stands or in the dugout,” Klug continued.

“I thought I saw some bravery to try and get on the ball, we didn’t always do the right things with it but I thought the mentality was to try and play and we’ll try and develop that, obviously.”

Regarding his assistants Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg, who patrolled the technical area while Klug remained on the bench, he said: “I can’t speak highly enough of those two. Since Tuesday, they’ve embraced the challenge and I thought the game plan that we came up with together was a decent way of approaching it because we can’t change that quickly.

“I thought it was a decent [performance], but they’ve been absolutely great and they’re both really enjoying the experience.”

Asked about Nash prowling around the technical area, he added: “I made sure he was wound up to do that! He was trying to pass on good advice and I think he managed it.

"Just like the players, I’m really, really sorry for them in the dressing room in there, I feel sorry that they’ve not got something that they deserved out of it but even more so for those two young coaches.”

Did he enjoy the experience? “Obviously for 87 minutes I was quite happy but I’m not happy now because football is about winning games and I think we did everything we could to win the game, so it’s not enjoyable.

“You’ve got people who have travelled and spent good money and they want to see you win. But I hope people have gone away saying it was a decent effort.”

Ben Morris, 18, was handed his first senior start, although Klug says he could just as easily have been one of the club’s other young strikers making his full debut.

“I threw him in, it could have been Ben Folami but I wanted to give Ben some minutes because, with his pace, I thought he would a threat and would stretch the game a little bit,” he explained.

“Obviously he worked very hard, he didn’t have any real opportunities but I thought he did some really good things and hopefully he’ll be better for it.”

He confirmed that Bersant Celina missed out due to illness: “Yes, he came down with a throat virus yesterday, hopefully he’ll be back for next week.”

Barry Cotter dropped to the bench having made a promising debut on Tuesday as the Irish youngster was still feeling the effects of that match.

“Barry’s legs, he’s still wobbling now,” Klug joked. “I was very close to putting him on there, but he’ll be flying for next week.”

Cotter joined the Blues in January from Limerick in Ireland, where the season runs through the summer, and missed their pre-season having completed the previous campaign at the end of October.

“He missed his pre-season and stuff like that and we don’t want to get any more injuries,” Klug added.

The academy head of coaching and player development was pleased with Tristan Nydam, who was watched by England U19s coach Paul Simpson, believing he put in his best display for the senior side.

“I think he might have got a little bit of cramp [before he went off] but that was as good as I’ve seen him play for the first team,” he enthused.

“I think we saw a lot of the things [we’ve seen at lower levels], I thought he played with a little bit more freedom and affected the game. I thought it was a good performance from him.

“I thought it was a really good performance from Myles Kenlock. I was very keen to play him in consecutive games but I thought he acquitted himself well.

“There were some good performances all around the pitch. I’ll go through the team, I think Cameron Carter-Vickers was really, really good, Jonas had a good game, Jordan Spence, they couldn’t have given us any more. It’s tough to take.”

Forest boss Aitor Karanka admitted he wasn't expecting his side's long wait for a goal - they hadn't scored for six matches prior to today - to come in such a dramatic manner right at the end of the match.

“I was expecting them sooner, in the first half when we had two or three chances," he said. "The main thing is that the goals have arrived and we won the game.

“For me, three points today are massive and now we have four games to finish and now were are not safe but we can be more comfortable in the table and thinking about the final game, knowing that last season the club was fighting to the last second and this season we are better.”


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clint_eastwood added 06:33 - Apr 15
I'm so proud of our youngsters. They did really well. Morris looked good with the ball, excellent techniques & balance. Kenlock was super solid at the back. And Nydam reminds me of the young raw Kieron Dyer with better work-rate. Well done boys!!
5

muccletonjoe added 06:58 - Apr 15
Results not important. Giving some of these lads game time is priceless
5

Edmundo added 08:07 - Apr 15
I left the game with a smile. Pint in the local pub (Larwood) and still raving about the pass and move style. So refreshing. Compare with my last away day, Sheffield United last October, it's like night and day already. One note though: Bart looked pretty dejected at the end. Not like him... I fear he's off.
3

loudnproud added 08:15 - Apr 15
I too managed to get to this game and what a refreshing spectacle i witnessed, Ball being played out of trouble installing confidence in the player. None of this "Give it to Fist pump to hoof forward to no one" More importantly the support creating an atmosphere worthy of even in defeat the applause of the players. Let us all hope that indeed a new and exciting era is upon us.
3

jas0999 added 08:21 - Apr 15
Cat - I've actually seen Lincoln play a couple of times (other than against us). I certainly wasn't a fan of their style. Very direct. They are definitely not for me.
2

grinch added 08:22 - Apr 15
was refreshing at times with positives but Bryan is to blame for penalty as you run that risk playing an attacker in a defensive position it was an attackers clumsy challenge lets hope ward learns from that Bran totally correct we went so deep near the end and encouraged a poor forest team to attack us. We do have to remember that this is a poor forest team one of poorest i have seen but we did put passes together which is encouraging
3

itfcserbia added 08:35 - Apr 15
“I thought I saw some bravery to try and get on the ball, we didn't always do the right things with it but I thought the mentality was to try and play and we'll try and develop that, obviously.”

Amen!
2

RoyalAscotBlue added 09:12 - Apr 15
lots of encouragement for the younger, less experienced, players. No need to mention the more seasoned pros, unless they have a really outstanding day. Such a different mindset. Some players might surprise a few people next week, given an opportunity and knowing that if they do well it will count for something. I had money on us to win yesterday. A decision that seemed well justified until the 89th minute. I'll have money on us to win again next week.
2

rollercoastertown added 09:32 - Apr 15
With Mick riding so high in the next Dirty Leeds manager stakes.... how about Paul Heckingbottom? Personally, I would like to see the next manager come from within, like our next squad.
0

leftie1972 added 09:36 - Apr 15
Liverpool are set to sign England Under-17 striker Bobby Duncan, who is the cousin of former captain Steven Gerrard and involved in the Manchester City academy set-up. (Sun on Sunday)

Gerrard, who runs Liverpool's Under-18 team, has emerged as a candidate to replace Mick McCarthy at Ipswich. (Sun on Sunday)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

Cheshire_Blue added 10:19 - Apr 15
Say what you like, but football is a results game and MM would have got at least a point from that game. Wrong players on the pitch at the crucial time.
Just a sign of things to come ?
0

blueboy1981 added 12:00 - Apr 15
They did Bryan for switching off - with the Clock ticking the last few minutes / seconds down.... ???

Don't tell me it's difficult to hold out at that point - to concede one then is bad enough, but two ... ???
2

cat added 12:04 - Apr 15
Fair play to you Jas if your witnessed their style. Let's hope that if he does come here which could be possible, he's not 1 dimensional like his predecessor!

Cheshire Blue - meaningless post unless you possess a crystal ball. One thing that would have been guaranteed yesterday is that it would have been dull affair for the travelling fans. In time, we will reflect on the McCarthy years and realise just how horrid they really were, not only has he created negative energy around the club with his prehistoric style and manner, he's caused massive fractures between the fans. I simply cannot put into words how pleased I am to see the back of him, whatever outcome lies ahead.
5

blueboy1981 added 12:10 - Apr 15
One thing for sure that would put Gerrard off - is the state of the Portman Road pitch - he wouldn't want to try and get a team to play football on that.

NO chance - of him becoming Manager - desired by some, or not.
0

cat added 12:36 - Apr 15
blueboy1981 - where's all your negativity coming from??? maybe a side effect of the McCarthy years (lol). The clubs financially stable, nice ground, ok the pitch took a bit of a battering in frosty January but that can easily be rectified, great facility's with a youth academy which has received good investment, the Dino has departed & most importantly we have great history.

ITFC is an attractive proposition for managers and players alike, don't believe anything else!
4

blueboy1981 added 13:05 - Apr 15
Cat ....... I like your enthusiasm, BUT would put a question mark against some of your points as follows :-

1. Financially stable - Are you that sure about that .... ??? Under Evans ownership maybe - but not attractive to other potential buyers.

2. The Pitch has inherent problems - just ask Alan Ferguson. Not an easy fix now / or cheap .. !!!

3. Nice ground - sadly showing real signs of lack of preventative maintenance --- just look at it and absorb.


4. Cat' 2 Academy - now having problems attracting - as per BK admittance.

We have great history, and reputation to uphold - hence my post and genuine concern ref the above.

McCarthy's departure is in my opinion a sound move - the empty stands alone, proves the point that not all liked what was on offer to them.
2

blueboy1981 added 13:09 - Apr 15
....... to add - take it from me - cat - the ' Frosty January' was / is not the problem with the Portman Road pitch.

Concludes my reason for the suggestion of the 'need for a complete re- vamp of the Club.

Onwards, Upwards, and Forward. Over to you Mr Evans - to prove the Club means as much to you - as it does US.
1

blueboy1981 added 13:09 - Apr 15
....... to add - take it from me - cat - the ' Frosty January' was / is not the problem with the Portman Road pitch.

Concludes my reason for the suggestion of the 'need for a complete re- vamp of the Club.

Onwards, Upwards, and Forward. Over to you Mr Evans - to prove the Club means as much to you - as it does US.
1

cat added 13:35 - Apr 15
Blueboy - my enthusiasm comes from the fact I only ever had one issue with ITFC, that was McCarthy. Each to their own so to speak, but ‘here's' to a new pitch.
4

Gcon added 17:03 - Apr 15
I went into town this morning to find myself a pair.

Honestly, tried every shop but the same story everywhere "Sorry, there's been a run on them this week and we're completely sold out".

Rose tinted glasses, anybody?....
0

cat added 17:42 - Apr 15
Nice one Gcon, you won't be needing sunglasses that's for sure!
3

TimmyH added 18:37 - Apr 15
at least you admit it!...:)
2

Razor added 10:53 - Apr 16
With half a team we were strolling to 3 points until that unprofessional mess up by Ward.

Felt so sorry for Klug, he did not deserve that and Forest is definitely our bogey ground--apparantly that was there first goal in 600 mts!!
1

Steelmonkey added 12:45 - Apr 17
Grinch- the foul for the penalty that Knudsen gave away last week was very similar.
But Bryan, it's a fact that if you score less goals than the opposition you will always lose.
0


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