‘Lack of concentration’… Garry Birtles slams 27-year-old Nottingham Forest star

Garry Birtles was less than impressed with Ola Aina following a 3-2 defeat for Nottingham Forest against Brighton on Saturday.

The Reds lost their third match in four games and have slipped to 15th in the Premier League.

Forest led through Anthony Elanga but found themselves 3-1 down as they seemed to push the self-destruct button once again.

Birtles was covering the game for Premier League Productions and he didn’t feel that Aina covered himself in glory as Forest conceded just before half-time.

Birtles unhappy with Forest star Aina
The Seagulls’ second goal was a wonderful header from Joao Pedro who had come on as a substitute to replace Ansu Fati.

Although the header was good, the defending was horrible and Birtles namechecked Forest defender Aina as the man in the firing line.

Forest Aina
Photo; Ami Ford; NFFC; Getty Images
He told the Garibaldi Red podcast: “Steve Cooper must be pulling his hair out again. For the first goal, we didn’t close him down. You look at Lewis Dunk and his ability to block chances was exemplary.

“The second, I know it’s a good header from a long way out but what is the defending? He’s on the wrong side of the ball, Aina is the wrong side of the ball. It’s a lack of concentration and the cross, who is going to close him down?”

Aina makes mistake but he’s been largely impressive
On Saturday, the 27-year-old didn’t cover himself in glory in allowing Pedro a free header to put the Seagulls into the lead.

However, credit where it’s due, Aina was largely impressive during the game and has been since he came to Forest.

Aina has been playing as a right-back for Forest of late but he’s also filled in on the left during the opening 13 games of the season.

He signed for the club on a free transfer from Torino in the summer. With that in mind, he’s proved a real steal and there is more to come from him.

Aina won’t want to spend too much time dwelling on Saturday’s loss – and indeed, his error for the second goal that Forest conceded.

Instead, his entire focus will be on facing Everton this weekend and trying to get another three points on the board.