Nottingham Forest fans have hit back at Taylor Richards after the Birmingham City midfielder claimed the Reds had been second-best despite being Blues 2-0 at the City Ground.
Kienan Davis gave the hosts the lead on five minutes as Forest dominated the first half an hour against their Championship rivals. Kristian Pedersen, Scott Hogan, Nico Gordon and Richards all had chances to score but failed to find a way past Brice Samba as he kept consecutive clean sheets.
Scott McKenna ensured the three points would remain in the East Midlands with a powerful header past Connal Trueman - a replacement shot-stopper for Neil Etheridge who had to be carried off on a stretcher. Whilst Forest registered almost double Blues' number of shots (13-7), the visitors registered more shots on-target than Steve Cooper's side during the first half.
READ MORE: Why Birmingham City were allowed to use four substitutes against Nottingham Forest
READ MORE: Cooper sends clear message as Nottingham Forest go third in Championship table
Blues midfielder Richards - on-loan from Brighton - said it had been an even match and that the visitors had arguably been the better team. "I thought we played well during the first and second halves," Richards said to the media at full-time. "I thought we were the better team for most of the game, but we have to defend better than we did and take our chances in the final third.
“The coach said we have to be better in both boxes – that’s where the game is won. It’s good having the ball in their half, but we have to be better with the final product; the final shot or pass. We weren’t good at that today so we have to work on that next week.
“We work hard every day. Our efforts are there on the pitch but we didn’t take the moments that win you the game.”
This is what some Forest fans had to say about Taylor's comments...
Joe Frost: They were certainly in the game but the better team?
Phil Sutton: It’s an amazing coincidence how we keep winning easily against all these teams who are better than us.
Gary P: I am perfectly happy for us to be 'outplayed' in every game and take the 3 pts all the way to promotion.
Riki Wilson: Was clearly watching another game then.
Darren Weston: Forest never got out of 2nd gear. Didn't need to.
Julian Buck: Taylor Richards himself was quality I thought.
Anthony Kelly: He was their best player imo, perhaps he didn’t notice that his 10 other teammates weren’t at the races.
Jon Macauley: Last 20 mins was like an attackers v defenders training game.
Richard Buck: That is why we are where we are, and where you are in the league.
What did you make of Nottingham Forest's performance vs Birmingham City? Let us know in the comments section here...
