We have got to keep building – Tigers chief

Hull City manager Nick Barmby stressed the importance of keeping his promising young team together after his side’s lingering play-off hopes were ended despite a third consecutive home win.

An own goal from Chris Gunter and a penalty from Matty Fryatt put the Tigers two goals up before Radoslaw Majewski scored a consolation for Nottingham Forest in stoppage time.

With results elsewhere putting the top six beyond Hull’s reach, Barmby turned his attention to retaining his stars in the summer to ensure a stronger tilt at promotion next season.

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“We’ve got the basis of a good side that can only get better with the right additions,” said Barmby. “We have some very good young players. I fully expect those players to stay. I wouldn’t be a happy man if they left.

“We’ve got our transfer targets and any new players need to suit the way we play.

“Without a shadow of doubt, we need to get the signings into the club as soon as possible. We have got to keep building. We can’t just have one season where we’ve finished close to the play-offs.

“With me managing this club, I want this club to be ambitious. We want to challenge and have a good crack at it next year.”

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Barmby also praised his side for grinding out their 2-1 win despite being second-best for long spells.

“I’m really pleased with the result because we didn’t play well,” he said. “The lads saw out a difficult game through their attitude and commitment. This is a game that possibly we would have lost a month ago.

“I said to the players at half-time that we didn’t want that end-of-season feel to the game. I wanted us to go out by making noises in this division.”

Forest manager Steve Cotterill hailed his side’s display but was left frustrated by referee Geoff Eltringham’s penalty award.

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“It was an unfortunate own goal, but with the penalty, he couldn’t wait to give it. It’s the softest penalty you’ll ever see.”

Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Chester, Cooper, Dawson, McKenna, Evans, Garcia, Koren (King 34), Stewart (Brady 56), Fryatt. Unused substitutes: Oxley, Bradley, Olofinjana.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Cunningham, Chambers, Elokobi, Majewski, McGugan,Reid,Anderson (Greening 74),Tudgay (Findley 41), Guedioura. Unused substitutes: Smith, Wootton, Moloney.

Referee: G Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).

Man of the match: Liam Cooper.