Manager pleased with performance against Nottingham Forest
Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman feels his side were unlucky to walk away with only a point after an exhilarating contest against Nottingham Forest.
Both teams played at a high tempo from minute one to 90 as Bolton drew 1-1 with Billy Davies’ men to ensure their unbeaten run in 2014 stayed intact.
After a hatful of chances for both sides in the first half, it was Forest that made the breakthrough early in the second period when Jamie Paterson built on his hat trick against West Ham last weekend with the game’s opening goal.
However, the Whites responded positively and scored a deserved equaliser with quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of a powerful header from centre back Matt Mills.
Speaking about a number of topics in his pre-match press conference, including an update on Jermaine Beckford’s injury, Freedman explained why he thought his team were unlucky not to walk away with three points against Davies’ Reds.
“I am delighted with the response of the players after the early set back in the second half,” said the boss.
“We created enough opportunities in the first half to go into the lead.
“We were good in the second half and Nottingham Forest looked ragged in the final 30 minutes of the game and that is credit to our players.
“We stuck at it and pinned Forest back by showing energy and commitment to create more goal scoring opportunities.
“We were 1-0 down against a very good side so to come back to secure a point we are happy but overall looking at the whole game with our possession and the opportunities we created, we should have won the game.
“It looks Jermaine has injured his hamstring when back heeling the ball in the first half so we will see what he is like on Monday.
“I wanted to play two high strikers this afternoon in order to stretch Nottingham Forest and allow Mark Davies to find some room. Andre Moritz came off the bench and performed very well.
“Matt Mills is always in the opposition penalty area and getting his headers on target from set pieces. It was a wonderful delivery to set Matt up and I thought it was a fully deserved goal.
“We asked the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper a lot of questions, especially in the second half.
“Our own goalkeeper Andy Lonergan made a wonderful save in the first half and every single player contributed towards a very good football match.
“I am happy with a point but with the amount of opportunities we created I am disappointed we didn’t walk away with all three.”