Nottingham Forest must turn draws into victories, says frustrated Sean O'Driscoll

STALEMATE specialists Nottingham Forest must find a way to turn draws into victories if they are to climb the Championship table, says Sean O'Driscoll.

The Reds have drawn seven times this season, which is more than any other side in the division.

Across the country, only League One Sheffield United and League Two York have drawn more games.

O'Driscoll was particularly frustrated after seeing his side held 0-0 by high-flying Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, following a game they had dominated for long periods.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

Forest have also lost only three games this season, which is as few as anyone in the Championship, including leaders Crystal Palace.

The failure to collect three points more often than not has left Forest outside the play-off places in 11th spot.

And this has given the manager plenty of food for thought ahead of the trip to take on Leicester City on Saturday.

"We need to turn draws into wins and I am still not sure if we understand how we do that," said O'Driscoll.

"How do you turn draws into wins? There is no magic formula; you do not push one button and make it happen.

"You keep doing the same things. Look back at the game and ask yourself what we did well.

"I would definitely be happy if we went to Leicester and produced the same level of performance.

"We were intelligent against Middlesbrough. We played in the spaces well, we manipulated the ball well and always picked the right options.

"That is the difficulty in football – trying to do the right things at the right time.

"You never properly crack that. It is always something you are working on.

"But we felt that performance was a step in the right direction for us."

O'Driscoll believes the key is Forest's ability to create chances.

Billy Sharp came close three times against Boro, including one shot that cannoned back off the post, Elliott Ward hit the bar and sent a spectacular overhead kick wide and Andy Reid stepped over the ball when presented with a fine late chance.

"We continue to create chances – and we will score goals because of that. We have done that all season," added O'Driscoll.

"Sometimes the chances are more frequent, sometimes they are clearer opportunities.

"Against Boro, a team challenging at the top of the table, we had quite a few chances. But they were not all clear cut.

"There was the ball across the box where Andy decided to step over the ball, that is the one where you thought 'this is the chance'. We needed to put that away.

"It is easy sitting on the sidelines saying that.

"When you are playing, it is a different story."