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Matty Hewitt

Jesse Marsch's Leeds United position questioned by national media after Nottingham Forest defeat

A look at the what national media had to say about Leeds United's defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Leeds rue missed chances - again - before fading

Sam Drury of BBC Sport said: "Another dispiriting result leaves Leeds without a Premier League since 5 November. Even taking into account the break for the World Cup, it is a statistic that makes for grim reading for their supporters.

"Given the way Marsch's side started at the City Ground, it could so easily have been the day they snapped that winless streak. They were bright, popping the ball around quickly and creating openings with the impressive Gnonto central to their threat.

"However, they were let down by an all-too-familiar failing as a number of presentable chances were passed up. Gnonto squared for Sinisterra, who leaned back and blazed his shot over the bar. The Italian winger then cut the ball back for Bamford, who fluffed the shot; Ayling kept it alive but put his shot too close to the goalkeeper.

READ MORE: Leeds United sent Wilfried Gnonto warning after Nottingham Forest defeat

"Then Gnonto himself had a chance, pouncing on an error by Neco Williams, but his near-post effort was pushed away. As well as Navas played, more than once Leeds really should not have given him a chance.

"We are struggling to turn performances into results and we've been in this place for a while," Marsch told BBC Sport. "It's hard for me to accept and it's frustrating. And I've got to find ways to change that feeling and find ways to get the results we think we deserve.

"In general we are struggling to get the results we feel like we deserve. The work and commitment on the inside has been good but from a result perspective it puts stress on the environment. I have to take responsibility on that and I do."

"Perhaps even more worrying for Leeds was a second half in which they not only failed to create any clear chances but rarely even got themselves in a position to do so. Marsch was backed in the transfer window and with pressure on him building, he must hope his new recruits - one of whom, Weston McKennie, made his debut off the bench - can help change his side's fortunes quickly."

How long can Marsch hold on?

Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail said: "When Nottingham Forest can thank a triple European Cup-winner for guiding them to victory on his debut, you know something special is brewing again on the banks of the River Trent. They still like to talk about club football's greatest prize here, after winning it under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980.

"Keylor Navas lifted the trophy three times during his spell with Real Madrid and his loan move from Paris St Germain in January looks inspired business. At 36 years and 52 days, he was the oldest goalkeeper to make a Premier League debut since Andy Goram for Manchester United in 2001.

"Yet four times in the first half, he denied Leeds, meaning Brennan Johnson's special 13th-minute strike was enough get Forest over the line, and subject Leeds boss Jesse Marsch to more catcalls from ahead of a double header against Manchester United this week. 'Marsch out' could be heard clearly from the away end.

"After Leeds spent about £37million on Georginio Rutter, Max Wober and Weston McKennie last month, Marsch said he had never felt so supported in his career. With Leeds above the relegation zone on goal difference alone after winning only two of their last 17 in the league, how long can that position hold?"

Marsch in 'disbelief' at Leeds United's Forest defeat

Will Unwin of the Guardian said: "Leeds’s performances are on an upward trajectory, as Jesse Marsch likes to remind everyone, but unfortunately they have not won in their past seven matches and have put the head coach under pressure. They dominated at Nottingham Forest but succumbed to Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike and an inspired Keylor Navas debut.

"For all the positive words from the Leeds head coach in recent weeks, they lack the ruthlessness that is required in the Premier League and that explains why they are outside the relegation zone only on goal difference. Everton and Wolves have seen the positive impact of managerial change and Marsch will be left wondering how sustainable his position is, with chants for him to leave coming from the away end, a viewpoint Marsch “understands”.

“I take full responsibility, I have to find a way of turning good performances more into winning because that’s exactly where we are and have been for a little while. That is the last step for the potential of where we need to be at,” Marsch said. “When I sit on the touchline at the end of the match I am almost in disbelief that we find a way to lose this match because for me we were better in almost every phase and moment.”

"The visitors started brighter, playing slick short passing in the Forest half, while the home side struggled to get hold of the ball. This is the way Marsch wants Leeds to play but it is not providing the results required. Luis Sinisterra could have opened the scoring within three minutes but Navas showed why he has been signed on loan by coming out quickly to block a shot from close range."

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