O’Neill said: “We had to be patient. I thought we played well in the first half without creating as much as we could have done. The opposition defended well, defended deep. We had a lot to break down, but we were patient.

“The game naturally opens up a bit in the second half and I thought it was a terrific goal to win the game.

“We demonstrated that patience in our play. We didn’t get in a habit of throwing the ball forward quickly and we didn’t turn the game into a second-ball game. We were patient with our play and built the game well. There were some great performances.

“The two wing-backs have had really strong starts to the season, there’s no doubt about that. In that position and to be able to arrive at that moment and chip in with a goal is important. I think what’s pleasing is that both wing-backs are high at the same time and getting involved in the build-up,” the Stoke boss said.

“Tommy (Smith) has had a lot of influence on that side and combined well. What you need is a little bit of quality just at the right moment and I think Mario (Vrancic) provides that.

“Some of our moves in the game we were unlucky but it’s great to win the game like that and with a clean sheet,” he added.

“Josh (Tymon) is one I’m delighted to see him playing the way he is now. He was a boy that I felt was not in a great place, he had a difficult time – probably with the change of managers at the club.

“He was brought here as a young player when we were in the Premier League and had a lot of potential. He never lost what he had. What he has got now is his confidence and his belief has grown.

“We lost a goal against Swansea, we switched off when we were 3-0 ahead in the game and it would have been nice to get three or four clean sheets. But more importantly, when you have one, it’s important to go for the win.

“I always felt we had the capability to score. I felt in the second half there was relentless pressure, and we were camped in around the Forest goal and that showed real belief in how we are playing, then we eventually got the breakthrough.

“There’s a lot for us to be positive about, all the players we have brought to the club have been the right type. It looks like a happy squad. We’ve been delighted with the response after a very good pre-season.”

Forest boss Chris Hughton admitted his side are going through a “difficult” period but insists he understands the anger of the fans.

“What I think about is… we are going through a transitional period at the club,” he said. “We’ve had a pre-season where we’ve had most of the under-23s training with the squad, we’ve had injuries.

“We are going through a difficult period. It’s a transitional period.

“With this group, however we recruit, it will be a younger, development side.

“Around those changes, what I have to try to do is get results. At the minute, this is the only thing I’m thinking about.

“I understand the disappointment of the crowd. I’m as disappointed and as angry as any of them. This is my responsibility.

“My responsibility is to get results for this club and these supporters.

“With the help of recruitment, we’ll do the best we can.”