Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has said that he was pleased with his side's performance against Stoke City at the weekend in his side's 0-0 draw with the Potters.

The Reds, despite a late Peter Crouch chance, looked solid throughout and on another day could have snatched all three points if it wasn't for Jack Butland's heroics in goal.

The 25-year old prevented Joe Lolley from scoring a sensation goal, as well as denying the in-form Lewis Grabban and Joao Carvalho in the second-half.

But Karanka remained upbeat with his side's performance, and his Forest side extended their unbeaten run to four league games.

"I think it was one of those games where if you can't win it then don't lose it," Karanka told the club website.

"In the first half we probably showed Stoke too much respect and at half-time I told the players to be brave and play our style - I asked them to go out in the second half and want the three points and I thought the second half was much better," the Spaniard added.

Forest now sit outside of the play-off places by one point behind arch rivals Derby County, and will look to get back to winning ways with a trip to Hull City after a short international break.

The Verdict

Karanka is spot on, it was obvious that Stoke were going to come and sit in to take a point away from the City Ground, and if it wasn't for Butland's performance then Forest would have definitely sealed all three points.

It is now important for Forest to turn these draws into wins, if they really are meant to be strong promotion candidates this season.

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