BILLY Davies today insisted he always knew he was taking on a tough job at Nottingham Forest. But the Scot also believes that the Reds have deserved more from their last four performances.
Forest were simply outclassed by a Cardiff side destined for a place in the Premier League in south Wales – although they were not helped by a harsh red card shown to Darius Henderson.
The 3-0 reversal ended Forest's ten-game unbeaten run and also saw them drop out of the play-off places.
But Davies remained upbeat – and praised his players for their efforts in recent weeks, when he believes they have been unlucky to be held to draws by Brighton and Blackpool in particular.
"I knew what I was coming into, I knew there was work to do. We went on a good run, but I am not fooled. I know what we need to do; I know what I am facing," he said.
"All we have done is try to organise them, to encourage them to play in the way we believe in. There is not a magic wand, you just have to try to do what you believe in. That is all we have done.
"The response has been brilliant. Their effort and attitude has been excellent. This was one of those games in football. It happens. You just have to move on.
"Some of the performances in the last four games have been very good, We should have won the Brighton game.
"Blackpool at home was a farce, we should have won but we drew the game. We have actually performed pretty well and should have picked up more points."
Davies, surprisingly, refused to criticise the decision to send off Henderson, who had caught Heidar Helguson with a hand in the face amid as the two fought to get onto the end of a Chris Cohen free-kick.
Replays suggested there was little intent, little contact and no swing of the arm.
But Davies said: "I think, under the rules, you have to say that, while he did not intentionally put his elbow up, I think he has connected with his face. Under the rules, it has to be a red card," he said.
Henderson will now miss three of the remaining four games of the season, as he faces a suspension for serious foul play or violent conduct, depending on referee Andre Marriner's view of the incident.
