Mick Newell has hailed Luke Fletcher's brilliant spell after tea as the burly seamer dragged Nottinghamshire back into the game.
Fletcher took two for eight with the new ball as Notts pegged Sussex back to 358 for nine on day one at Trent Bridge.
He said: "At 250 for two we were looking flat. Fletcher was brilliant with the new ball to drag it back. In the end it was a reasonable day and we'll know more when we bat.
"A decline set in after (losing at) Durham. We've struggled to get to a good enough level of performance since then.
"We've had a good season and we don't want to send the members off thinking about the last two weeks."
The director of cricket was also pleased with debutant Luke Wood (pictured), who took 2-76.
"I'm very pleased with Luke. He was running in at half five as hard as he was at half ten," he said.
"We see a future for him. We've been really impressed in the last 18 months.
"He's filled out, put some speed on and he can swing the white ball."
Newell confirmed that Notts and England seamer Stuart Broad has had knee surgery as expected.
He is beginning his rehab with Notts physio Jon Alty and will also work with England medics.
Broad is expected to be out for the next three months with the World Cup starting on February 14 against hosts Australia.
Notts have been linked with the signing of Australian international seamer Clint McKay for next season.
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