Nottingham Forest fans are stunned by Blackpool manager Neil Critchley's assessment of his side's 4-1 defeat to the Reds on Saturday afternoon.
Steve Cooper's men strengthened their grip on a play-off position with a 4-1 thrashing over Blackpool. Yet, Critchley felt his Tangerines side were the "better team" against Forest at points during the match.
Forest's stormed into a 3-0 lead before half-time thanks to goals from Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Sam Surridge. Winger Johnson then notched his second before Callum Connolly scored a late consolation goal for the home side.
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But Critchley told Sky Sports at full-time: "To be honest with you, I thought we were competitive today. We got punished in vital moments - they were clinical, really clinical. We've not done well enough in both boxes. In the middle of the pitch, we were arguably the better team at times. We've created a lot of chances, we showed great spirit and kept going right to the end.
"We've been harshly punished today and had no luck. You look at the first and third goals, we make mistakes, and they punish us. We had opportunities throughout the game. Our response to going 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 down was good.
"We had chances at the start of the second. It's just not gone our way, and that can happen when playing good teams with good players. That's the reality of the Championship."
He added: "The third goal in any game is a big goal. Our response to going behind was excellent. We started the game well and had good organisation. They weren't playing through us and getting near the goal that often.
"We were in their penalty more than they were in ours, but the third goal does kill it off. Second half, we tried to win the second half. We had a good first 15 minutes and could have scored. If we got that, then who knows what then happens."
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And Forest fans have been reacting to the Blackpool manager's comments. Here's a sample of what they have been saying...
@FaceNffc: Not sure what game Neil Critchley was watching. I saw his team get smashed 4-1 at home. Yes, they could've have a penalty (but so could've #nffc) but they were outplayed
@KevWadders: Neil Critchley has just said that Blackpool were the best team today and were unlucky.... what game was he watching?! #nffc
@MarsdenMatthew: Clearly not wanting to dampen the mood in the Blackpool dressing room after a lacklustre performance #NFFC
@callumcastleIn: Neil Critchley believes Blackpool were the better team at times today and were punished on occasions. Can’t agree at all myself.
@Micheal64193500: What football match was he watching
@RedDog1968: They had the few expected moments but we never really looked troubled by them.
@RIPD: Someone tell him it was April Fools day on Friday.
