Nikitin praises effort in CSKA's 2:3 loss to Lokomotiv
CSKA coach Igor Nikitin credited his team's improved attitude despite the defeat, discussed Khayrullin's slow adaptation and Jeremy Roy playing through injury.
Nikitin pointed to a change in attitude compared with the previous outing as the main positive to take from the game.
He was asked about Marat Khayrullin, who has struggled to find his footing at the start of the season. The coach said the forward faces new demands at his new club and needs time to adjust, adding that he had told Khayrullin not to force things and that he is not the first player to go through such a period.
Nikitin also addressed an injury to Jeremy Roy, saying the forward played on and finished the match despite the knock, which the coach put down to Roy's character, particularly in a game against a side of Lokomotiv's calibre.
CSKA have made an uneven start to the KHL season, and Saturday's defeat leaves the club still searching for consistency against the league's top sides.
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