While left wondering how Forest had lost by three goals to nil, a game at Portsmouth that he felt they 'dominated', Cotterill is taking the positives going into the international break.
"I am really pleased with their effort and application," he told the official club website.
"They have been first-class."
Promising a 'hard week' for his players despite no fixture next Saturday, Cotterill will look to turn the kind of performance the Reds put in at Fratton Park into the wins that will take them into the right part of the table.