FOREST: GARRY MONK'S VERDICT

FREEVIEW: POST FOREST REACTIONS 27.8.16

United boss reflects on Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the City Ground...

United boss Garry Monk spoke of his frustration – admitting his side gave themselves “an uphill battle” – following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.

Goals either side of half-time from Pajtim Kasami and Damien Perquis – both coming from corners – gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the City Ground before Kalvin Phillips pulled one back seven minutes from time as United chased a way back into the game.

But it was Forest who were able to snatch the fourth and final goal of the afternoon, Oliver Burke slotting beyond Rob Green to clinch the three points deep into stoppage time.

"We're disappointed,” said Monk. “We came here with confidence but gave ourselves an uphill battle from two set-pieces.

"We had the chances to equalise - we just need to be more clinical. Our general play was good but errors cost us.

"It's something we need to improve quickly. If the players can't do that, things will need to change. We gifted them two soft goals, which made it difficult.

"But in general play we were the better team. From the 46th minute they were wasting time, they looked nervous when it came to holding on to their 1-0 lead. But we never really pushed them back.

"We needed to be more clinical, we needed to take our chances. We conceded soft goals and Forest did nothing in general play otherwise.

“We have the international break now and some time for us to work on things, to drill a few things into the players.

"We need to cut out the sloppiness and the individual errors. We have the squad to address this.”

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