Three Nottingham Forest players who must improve after Middlesbrough defeat

Nottingham Forest slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough yesterday, leaving Chris Hughton with far more questions than answers.

The Reds have won one, drawn three and now have a loss on their record under the new boss and they must improve quickly.

Forest strengthened their squad in the summer with 14 new players and the current form quite simply won’t do.

Following yesterday’s disappointment, we looked at three players who need to improve ahead of this week’s home doubleheader.

To be fair to the right-back he held his hands up after the game and took responsibility for Boro’s goal.

It was Christie who was caught ball watching allowing Marvin Johnson to fire home a late winner at the back post.

The 28-year-old was decent at Luton in midweek, setting up the Reds’ equalising goal but this wasn’t his best game.

Christie is Forest’s best option at right-back and they desperately need him to be on form as part of Hughton’s back five.

Last season the right-winger was so often Forest’s saviour but this time around he’s struggling to get going.

The Reds could do with Ameobi to find some consistency and start creating chances for the the Forest strikers.

During 2019/20 the ex-Bolton winger scored five goals and registered nine assists, featuring in all but one of Forest’s league fixtures.

Ameobi is yet to register an assist yet this season and that needs to chance and quickly.

It might sound slightly harsh on the on-loan Sheffield United player but he just needs to display a bit more confidence.

Playing in the number ten role is where he should thrive but he’s just not quite doing the job he’s there to do right now.

Having not played much football last season he is still getting up to speed and he should improve as the games continue to come.

With a bit more confidence and guile, Freeman can be the man to provide that lack of creativity for Hughton and Forest.