STUART Pearce believes Nottingham Forest are getting stronger with every game - and expects the team to keep improving as key players gain full match fitness.
The Reds boss was frustrated not to have beaten Bolton in an entertaining clash, which saw Britt Assombalonga net twice to steer them to a 2-2 draw.
Dougie Freedman's side twice went ahead, through Joe Mason and David Wheater, but £5m striker Assombalonga fired Forest level on each occasion, while it was Forest who looked the more likely to snatch all three points in the final stages.
Pearce was rightly disappointed with the quality of Forest's defending for both goals, but was encouraged by the character shown by his side, as they maintained their unbeaten start under the new manager.
"I think we are positive. When you look back on the three matches so far and not just this one in isolation, we are improving, game by game," said Pearce. "I think I have a squad of players who I am very proud to work with. They attempt to do everything we ask of them. They have character and ability in that dressing room.
"It is down to myself, the coaching staff and the players, most importantly, to carry on delivering good performances. I thought we showed great cutting edge with our play.
"The only down side is that we defended fairly averagely. That is probably the best way I can describe it. But they picked up the message at half time and we improved a lot. Barring one free header, late in the game, we bossed it, mainly.
"And the physicality of the players is getting better by the game. The likes of Jack Hobbs and Chris Cohen will grow as they come back to fitness. Reidy had also been out at the back end of last season. They will grow with every game.
"Right across the board, we will keep improving. I can't see any other way. The ball is firmly in the players' court. They have to keep delivering performances like that."
Pearce said Forest will look at their defending for both Bolton goals when they return to the training ground tomorrow, ahead of the trip to Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Mason was left with a free header from a free kick for the first, while a catalogue of errors led to Wheater being allowed to stroke the ball home from close range for Bolton's second goal.
"I was disappointed with the goals and we will have a look at it again on Monday, with a view to moving forward and getting better," he said. "I think that, with the ability of our defensive line, we should be going everywhere and looking to keep clean sheets, personally.
"I know, looking at the options we have got, with regards to McLoughlin, Lars and Paterson to come off the bench, and Lansbury to come back from injury, we should have the ability to win games if we keep clean sheets and we did not do that here.
"That was the only down side in a day when I thought we played some football that our fans can be very proud of. I am disappointed that we have not won the game, that is the most positive thing I can say.
"The manner in which we passed the ball, the manner in which we attacked the opposition and the character this squad have got in abundance is something for us to work with."
Defender Dan Harding, who produced another encouraging display at left back, was also frustrated with the Bolton goals.
"We are a little bit disappointed, particularly with the two goals we conceded. But the gaffer was pleased with the character showed by the boys," said Harding.
"We went behind twice but got ourselves back into the game. We were unlucky not to go on and win it in the second half. We want to win games of football and we feel we were unfortunate not to.
"Britt might be disappointed that it took him three games to score, but he has been brilliant for us. He does a lot of work that goes unnoticed. But he deserved his goals and we all hope he gets a lot more of them between now and the end of the season."
In the meantime, Pearce revealed that new signing Robert Tesche, the 27-year-old former Hamburg midfielder, will not be available to face Bournemouth tomorrow, as the club look to give him time to arrange his move to England.
"Tesche is not flying back into the country until Wednesday, so he will not be involved at Bournemouth. His partner is pregnant and expecting in December. I know what it is like when you sign for a new club and have to move," said Pearce.
"We thought it was prudent, at a time when the squad is fairly consistent, to tell him to come back and train with us on Thursday, when we have a training game for the players who need football. We will hope to get him involved in that."
