Paul Trollope spoke of the pride that he, fellow caretaker-manager Richie Kyle and Mick Harford had in the players despite today’s FA Cup third round exit at Nottingham Forest.
The side sitting third in the Premier League triumphed with a goal in each half, but after a difficult week in which manager Rob Edwards departed by mutual agreement, former Forest coach Trollope spoke on behalf of the coaching staff.
He said: “It was disappointing to get beat. I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, a lot of pride in the performance level after a difficult two or three days, so credit to the players, I think they played with a lot of spirit, a lot of energy and quite a lot of quality at times as well.
“But it wasn’t to be, we couldn’t convert one of the chances that we had and I thought the second goal killed us a bit in terms of we were on top of the game and looking like the team more likely, and it would have been wonderful to get an equaliser and try to push on, or even to get one back after they went two up.
“We spoke about fine margins in the last few away games and we could say that again, but immense pride with how the players, the staff and everyone has reacted from a really difficult circumstance this week.”
Trollope also paid tribute to the near 2,000-strong travelling support, who sang throughout at the Bridgford End the Town were attacking in the second half, just as when Elijah Adebayo and Chieo Ogbene scored twice late on to salvage a Premier League point last term.
“I think everyone had memories of last year, two down and we said to the players at half-time, with a bit more forward action and a bit more forward thrust, we can get back in this, and even if something happens against us and they get another one, we came back from two down here last year, so we were disappointed that we couldn’t quite find that goal, because listen, the support was amazing.
“Considering the troubles we’ve had on our travels and results not going as we want despite performances in recent weeks being okay, to turn up in the numbers and how noisy they were for us was brilliant.
“The players appreciated it, and I hope from after the game, you could see the reaction to the players, and they played with immense spirit, they gave their all, worked exceptionally hard and played with some quality at times.
“The result wasn’t to be, but I think the performances was ok and there are things to look at and take forward for the future.”
On what happens next, he replied: “Not sure yet. The remit for myself, Richie and with Mick’s support was to take the two days’ training, take the game today and then see where we are. That’s what we’ve done.
“Disappointed with the result, it would have been lovely to be stood here with a win and a positive result. It wasn’t to be, but the players can be very proud and I think the supporters can be very proud of what they’ve done today.”
