Oscar Garcia at the final whistle after securing a play-off spot
Image by: Paul Hazlewood
| 2014/15 season tickets are now on general sale. Call 0844 327 1901 or buy online |
Oscar Garcia tonight praised his players' never-say-die approach after Brighton & Hove Albion clinched a place in the play-offs with a winning goal two minutes into added time at Nottingham Forest.
The Seagulls won 2-1 at the City Ground, thanks to Leo Ulloa's header from Craig Mackail-Smith's cross, after Stephen Ward had cancelled out Matt Derbyshire's first-half opener.
He told seagulls.co.uk, "We never gave up, we always thought we would score; I always believed we could. It is impossible to score if you don't believe. I am so proud of my players.
"I am really pleased for Craig - not because of my decision - but because he was involved in the goal. It makes me very happy that he was involved. He's had a terrible injury, but he's getting fitter and fitter.
"We know what Leo can do here, and he showed exactly why he plays most of the minutes in most of the games.
"I would also like to acknowledge both Nottingham Forest and Burnley for the way they approached the two matches. Both teams gave everything, and that would not always happen in some leagues around the world."
LATEST NEWS FROM SEAGULLS.CO.UK
- Albion Aim for Pie Double
- Donoghue Looking Forward to Sussex Derby
- Report: Forest 1 Albion 2
- Chairman’s Praise for Oscar
- Play-Off Ticket Info
Meanwhile Oscar says he is not thinking of the possible prize for the play-off winners, and his sights are firmly on the semi-final first leg at the Amex this Thursday.
"I dare not dream. If we do achieve what we want to I will have enough time to do that in the summer. For now the focus must be on the next game.
"We've lost against Derby twice. But we will be prepared and ready. They are the third best team and it will be a difficult game for us.
"I don't like to think about favourites or underdogs. We need to think about how we can beat them. We know Leo is always a threat and we need to put balls in the box."
Albion will begin their play-off preparations tomorrow, while tickets go on sale to season-ticket holders tomorrow at 9am - but tonight Oscar says he owes his staff and will take them out for dinner tonight.
"I am going take my staff out to dinner back in Brighton. I still owe them from the time when I won Manager of the Month in November.
"We have not had a chance during the season, but they haven't let me forget that I promised them a meal!"
Original article