Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper praised his team for keeping their heads amid “a feisty” clash with Blackburn Rovers.
The Welshman wasn’t happy with a couple of challenges on his players, in particular, as they climbed into the play-off spots with a 2-0 win at Ewood Park.
The hosts committed 20 fouls during the game, compared to the Reds’ 11, with Darragh Lenihan sent off for a lunge on Jack Colback in the second half.
Sam Surridge was also brought down in stoppage time by Jan Paul Van Hecke, leaving Brennan Johnson to net from the spot and add to James Garner’s opener.
“There were so many fouls on us,” said Cooper.
“I thought the tackle on Jack Colback wasn’t a very good one, in the first half.
“As much as I love (Joe) Rothwell as a player, I didn’t love his tackle when Jimmy was breaking through.
“It was a feisty game. I thought we did really well to compose ourselves, we could have lost our heads a bit with how we were treated - especially Keinan (Davis), he was a bit battered and bruised.
“Okay, maybe they go down to 10 men in the end, but for so many young players in the team, we showed a lot of composure in what was a tough one to be in.”
Defending his goal in front of the home fans after the break, Reds goalkeeper Brice Samba looked to have had a plastic bottle thrown in his direction.
“Nothing should come on the pitch,” said Cooper.
“We also had that unsavoury moment in the cup game at the weekend.
“I don’t want to make too many comments on it, but everyone is fine.
“Brice kept his head and was good in the second half. And he’s kept that clean-sheet, which he always likes to do.
“It was important to get the clean-sheet, especially away from home against one of the top goalscorers in the league and other good players who can score goals. It’s always nice to get that.”
