BILLY Davies believes Nottingham Forest were rewarded for their attacking ambition, as they extended their winning run at Hull City.
The Reds boss threw on three attacking players in the second half, in the form of Lewis McGugan, Billy Sharp and Dexter Blackstock – and all three men were involved as McGugan netted the winning goal amid a 2-1 victory.
Davies said it would have been easy to bring on Guy Moussi and Sam Hutchinson and try to hold out for a point, after seeing Darius Henderson cancel out George Boyd's opening goal for the Tigers.
But the Scotsman opted to go for broke – and saw his side notch up a sixth straight win.
"In the second half we showed great courage and we did go for it. It would have been easy for us to bring Moussi on and Hutchinson on. But we went for it, we made positive changes," said Davies, who will see his side equal a club record for consecutive wins if they can beat Brighton after the international break.
"It was great to see Henderson get a goal and McGugan did what he does best, by coming on to get us the winner.
"It was important that we went for it and we did that. We tried to win the game. At 1-1 it was important for us not to shore things up, but to go for the three points."
Davies felt Forest put themselves under needless pressure – particularly in the final few minutes, when Hull laid siege on the visitors' goal.
But he was also delighted with their defending – and their character – as they held out for a big victory over the Championship's second-placed side.
"I thought we did not start in the brightest fashion. In the first 20 minutes, we did not stick to our game plan," he said.
"We gave them too much space and put ourselves under too much pressure. But then we changed our formation a little bit and I thought we were the better side.
"We could have scored a goal or two, because we had a few good chances. I think it was Coxy who did not hit the target with one. Then they scored a goal against the run of play.
"In the last few minutes, we caused our own problems, there were too many free kicks given away outside the box.
"Our own sloppy play put us under pressure. But it was outstanding defending and a great three points.
"We knew that we would have to defend well, but we did put ourselves under needless pressure. That gave them good opportunities, but it was very good defending and an excellent three points.
"Nobody can accuse us of not trying to win the game. We went out and tried to win the game."