Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the City Ground as their struggle for goals continued

Roy Keane wants to see more from Nottingham Forest’s misfiring stars as the wait for a goal at the City Ground goes on.

Arsenal scored with their only shot on target to beat the Reds 1-0 Trentside on Sunday. It meant a third successive defeat for Oliver Glasner’s side, who are now 18th in the Premier League table.

Forest were good for at least a point against the reigning champions and created several positive moments but their lack of attacking threat remains an issue. They have gone five games in all competitions without finding the back of the net at home this season.

“On the one hand, you can give the team compliments for that,” Sky Sports pundit Keane said of the number of chances the Reds are creating. “The last three games - against Arsenal, Coventry at home and Palace - opportunities after opportunities, so you are giving them the thumbs up.

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“But then after, you’ll be going, ‘Lads, you’ve got to test their goalkeeper’ - because these are big chances. The chances we’ve seen (against Arsenal), they’re not half-chances, these are players just taking too long, not being quick enough with their shots and not testing the goalkeeper. I think that’s where you’d be really frustrated.”

Substitute Chris Wood wasted a golden opportunity to cancel out Noni Madueke’s strike in the dying minutes. The New Zealander’s effort from inside the box was blocked after he had cut inside while an unmarked Arnaud Kalimuendo was screaming for the lay-off.

Wood is not the only Reds player guilty of a lack of ruthlessness in recent weeks. Fellow striker Liam Delap had a shot saved from close range during the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

“Forest stuck at it,” ex-Forest midfielder Keane said (via the BBC). “Chris Wood had the big opportunity. Why he doesn't take a touch on to his right foot…

“He's an experienced player. These opportunities, we'll give them a lot of praise but you have to test the goalkeeper, hit the target. The manager must be so frustrated. They'll be lacking confidence.

“They paid a lot of money for Liam Delap. He's a young kid, he's an honest lad, he's sticking at it but it's a tough position to play in the team. It's a tough role for him but he has to tidy up in his play. He has to add a little bit more quality.”

Fellow pundit Ian Wright added of Wood’s chance: “The Chris Wood one, for a player at this level and who has scored goals at this level, it was very, very surprising. To think that he could cutback against a defence like Arsenal and think he’s going to get a shot off, it’s not going to happen.

“You have to recognise that and make sure you do that in training. You are not going to get that opportunity against Arsenal. Take that shot as soon as you can.”