Chris Sutton, speaking on BT Sport Score this afternoon, said that Nottingham Forest’s manager will feel that his side might have taken something from their 2-0 defeat against Reading, pouring scorn on the bad refereeing decision which reduced them to 10 men and cost them a penalty.
The decision came in the 14th minute, when Ryan Yates was adjudged to have handled on the line. Sutton didn’t believe it was the correct decision, but he pointed out that Forest are hardly setting the heather on fire and that this has to change – and quickly.
“It hasn’t been a great start under Chris Hughton,” Sutton said. “They’ll feel hard done by [today] but they need to start getting results very soon.”
Hughton took over in October, replacing Sabri Lamouchi as Forest started the campaign miserably with five straight defeats in league and cup, having been winless in 10 Championship matches under the Frenchman’s control.
Forest are currently hovering just above the relegation zone; nothing would be a bigger disaster than for them to drop out of the Championship – not only would it be financially devastating, but it would be a hammer blow having flirted with the possibility of promotion as recently as last season.
TIF Thoughts on Sutton’s assessment of Forest’s start under Hughton…
Sutton is entirely correct; Hughton had a certain amount of goodwill on his side, and although the ex-Celtic striker believes they just lacked a bit of luck today, it’s simply not good enough. The Reds are without a win since early November and face a trip to league leaders Norwich next. If they can’t turn this around fast, the board may have a decision to make.