Leeds United boss Steve Evans insists he cannot fault his players for a lack of effort after the Whites went down to a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest at Elland Road in the Championship today.

Evans' men did start brightly, Liam Bridcutt fizzing a shot over the bar from around 20 yards out, but Forest stood firm and defended deeply, making it difficult for Leeds.




Forest were dangerous on the break, but it was 0-0 heading into half time.

On the hour mark though Forest took the lead after Nelson Oliveira connected with a cross and Marco Silvestri could only palm his effort in the direction of the post and it went into the net.
 


Leeds tried to find their way back into the game, but could not break the Forest defence and went down to defeat.

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For Evans, his side lacked quality in the final third. But the head coach is not in the mood to put a lack of effort at the feet of his players.

"I don't know if they're lacking desire, I think they gave everything today", he said to BBC Radio Leeds.

"We are disappointed. We've come out of that game with nothing and I think a neutral would think that is pretty harsh on the team in white.

"I think we saw some wonderful passages of play today, but the final third was poor. This is a much, much improved team from earlier in the season", Evans continued.

"We've never hidden that we are three or four real quality signings away from a good side. All I can do is work with the tools that I've got until we've got better tools in."