Nottingham Forest can take encouragement from their defensive resolve, says Sean O'Driscoll

SEAN O'Driscoll believes Nottingham Forest can take encouragement from their defensive resolve, as well as the attacking threat, they showed against Middlesbrough.

The Reds would have won the game had they managed to net any of their numerous chances in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw.

But they also managed to keep a clean sheet after conceding eight goals in their previous four games.

And O'Driscoll believes the back four benefited from seeing Elliott Ward settle into the side, following his second start for the Reds, and from the return of Greg Halford after suspension.

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"We got our backsides kicked against Millwall and we wanted to bounce back from that," said the Forest boss.

"Elliott has come in and looked a bit more settled in his second game.

"Generally, the back four looked a little more solid.

"All those things helped. We kept a clean sheet and, with Greg back in the side, we had a threat going forward and from set plays.

"He was also a threat with his long throw, when we wanted him to use that and he added some height to the side.

"They are the little degrees that, against Millwall, might have made a difference.

"But we are back into the same processes now. We will show the players a video of the game, look at things and get back into the same processes that will prepare us for the game against Leicester.

"But it does feel more of a positive than a negative, after the game. People will be disappointed with the draw.

"But Boro had won their last six away games. I saw them play against Sunderland – when Martin (O'Neill) put his top team out – and Boro caused them a lot of problems.

"They are no mugs, this Boro side."