Nottingham Forest beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at the City Ground.
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis says several injuries to key defensive players was the reason behind his side’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at Championship opponents Nottingham Forest, the Northern Echo reports.
“We’re moving people around, and we’re having to try to put square pegs into round holes. It really caught us out today. We had a similar situation last week, but at home, maybe we can get away with it,” Pulis explained.
“But when you come to a place like this, you’ve got to be really solid. It was a disappointing display, but I think you’ve got to look at the injuries. Coming here with Ayala, Friend and Fry in your team, you’re going to be a lot more solid and together.”
Boro came into the game against Forest knowing they were under pressure to retain their top six spot what with Bristol City and Derby County both having a game in hand.
Tony Pulis set up his team with more attacking players as usual, but it didn’t have the desired effect as Boro struggled to create any clear chances while defensively they were at times wide open.
Injuries to Daniel Ayala, George Friend and Daniel Fry prompted a reshuffle at the back as Pulis went with three centre-backs in Ryan Shotton, Aden Flint and the versatile Paddy McNair.
Alexander Milosevic and Joe Lolley (2) got the goals for Forest, but arguably their most outstanding player over the course of the 90 minutes was Joao Carvalho who posted five take-ons and four chances created.
The defeat sees Boro replaced by Derby County in the top six. The Rams face fellow top six challengers Bristol City next weekend which could give Tony Pulis’s side a route back into the playoffs should they beat Reading.
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