A week on from the controversial penalty decision that gave Birmingham City a 2-1 victory at St Andrew’s, Stuart Pearce is hoping to get back to winning ways against Charlton on Saturday.
With the Birmingham game poised at 1-1, Britt Assombalonga was adjudged to have handballed on the line by the fourth official, after both the referee and the linesman had signalled a corner.
Paul Caddis scored from the spot to complete the victory over Nottingham Forest and despite the way the penalty was awarded, Stuart Pearce is adamant that the right decision was made as he was in the immediate aftermath of the match.
“The result last week against Birmingham was obviously disappointing but once again I think the officials got the decision right at the end of the game,” Pearce said.
“The fourth official put his neck on the line to get that decision correct but I wonder going forward where this decision could lead.
“If managers know the fourth official can make decisions like that then they could man mark them during the game to try and influence decisions on the pitch.”
With both sides on 28 points, Saturday proves a crucial fixture in Forest’s campaign to finish above Charlton and other teams to achieve their promotion goals.
And Pearce believes they are still on track for their end of season target as the league has proven to be unpredictable over the first 19 games.
“I was looking at the table last week and it is very different from early on in the season when us, Charlton and others occupied those top six positions,” he said.
“Another six have taken those places and I think this patter will continue throughout the entire season.
“Looking at the results last week, the ‘so-called’ top sides suffered a little and didn’t get the results they wanted and I think that will continue.”
“The inconsistencies in the teams are causing this. Here at Forest we are frustrated as we put performances in against Norwich and Wolves but failed to build on them at Birmingham.”
With the Christmas fixture list coming round quick, thoughts have already turned to the January transfer window for Pearce and other managers across the football league’s.
But the Forest manager believes the mid season window is a notoriously difficult one to get new players into an already settled squad.
“We are continually looking at players whether it be in the loan market and anyone who is available,” he said.
“Historically it is a difficult time to get people in the January window with the summer being more productive as was shown in our dealings this time around.”
Video: Stuart Pearce reflects on the seasons so far and looks ahead to Saturday’s game against Charlton
