The hosts began with intensity at the City Ground and struck twice in the opening 18 minutes through Jair Cunha and former City striker Liam Delap.
We grew into the game and shortly after the interval, Rayan Cherki struck a stunner into the top corner to halve the deficit.
However, Oliver Glasner’s men added a third with a swift counter-attack finished off again by Delap.
The defeat leaves us six points behind league-leaders Arsenal going into the second international break of the season.
After the game, Doku confirmed that our slow start proved to be decisive in Nottingham.
“First half we were behind 2-0, playing away to a side like this and losing 2-0 is making things difficult for ourselves.
“We are used to playing every two days. That’s not a reason. If you ask me for the reason for our first half I don’t know. We go behind very early in the game and that changes a lot.
“We reacted too late. If we had started the game like this it would have been different.
“[In the second-half] we played without brakes, we were very offensive and tried to create things. We scored early but a team like this are very dangerous on counter attacks.”
Enzo Maresca’s men will next be in league action in two weeks, where we host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
Doku believes the halt in club football could prove to be a positive in our quest to return to winning ways.
“We need to be fresh minds, start again and analyse what we can do better and move forward,” he continued.
“The international break comes at the right moment for us to analyse and come back refreshed.”
BE AT CITY V NAPOLI!
City will look to move a step closer to UEFA Champions League knockout qualification as we face Napoli – and you can be here to cheer on the Blues!
Enzo Maresca’s men take on Massimiliano Allegri’s Serie A side on Tuesday 24 November with a 20:00 (UK) kick-off at the Etihad.
It’s our fifth game in the League Phase following four wins and one defeat and those results have left us seventh in the League Phase with the top eight automatically qualifying for the Round of 16.
Make sure you’re here to support Maresca’s men with tickets now on sale to any Cityzens with an account active before 27 August. It’s up to four tickets per Cityzen - three additional for members on the UEFA Cup Scheme.
You can also make a special night of it with a hospitality experience under the Etihad lights - packages start from £110 per person, with places in City Hall, Crossbar and Zadie’s all available in the new Pep Guardiola Stand as well as 12-seater Platinum Boxes and places in the Asahi Superdry Tunnel Club Premier.
