Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper thought the Reds "fell short" in their performance at Newcastle United on Saturday - but says they will "live and learn". Forest lost 2-0 at St James' Park after second half strikes from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson.
The home side dominated possession and had 23 attempts with 10 on target compared to Forest's five attempts with none on target. Cooper had named six players making their professional debut for the club in his starting XI, and brought on two more later in the game.
Forest did enjoy a spell of possession with around 20 minutes to go, but Wilson's neat chip late on took the wind out of Forest's sails after Schar broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a sensational 25 yard strike. Cooper wanted to see more from the Reds in the defeat though, and did not think his side were good enough at bringing the front three into play.
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Cooper said: "We fell short in our performance today, but we live and learn. We were not right today in possession, and there were not enough passes when we could get them off, and that ultimately cost us the two goals.
"The way we gave up the ball in the play before the goals, that's not the team I want us to be. Newcastle were the better team today and deserved to win.
"They had a lot of the ball and territory, and we're OK with that, although we don't want that too often if we can help it. We've felt the difference today, and it is a big difference, but we have to reflect quickly and get used to it."
Despite the result, Forest fans sang their hearts out throughout the match. And Cooper was impressed by the following.
He said: "They'll be disappointed of course that we lost the game, but it's important for them we're back in the Premier League, and sight of that must not be lost. Seeing the fans singing, making noise, it's great for them to show that on a bigger stage.
"The following today was great. But now we ourselves have to get back and get ready."
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