Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou took aim at his side's defending despite being on the receiving end of a refereeing decision he described as an "absolute howler" in their 1-0 defeat against Sunderland on Saturday. The Australian is still searching for his first win since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground, having lost three of his opening five matches in charge.

Forest fume as Dominguez receives yellow card for simulation

Forest were left fuming when referee Tony Harrington booked midfielder Nico Dominguez for simulation following a coming together with Sunderland’s Trai Hume. And from the resulting free-kick, defender Omar Alderete was able to steal a march on the Forest backline before heading home what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

AdvertisementPostecoglou criticises Forest's defending as well as the officials

However, while criticising a "whole range of decisions" from the officials, Postecoglou was adamant that his Forest players should have defended the set piece better, saying after the game: "It was a really poor goal we conceded, albeit after a poor decision, I thought, from the official. But it was a really poor goal and we had plenty of time to rectify that.

"It was a whole range of decisions from the officials, from awarding and then some holding in the box. But I still think we were way too lax in our determination to keep the ball out of the net. I just thought it was a really disappointing goal to concede."

Getty Images SportPostecoglou has his say on whether he thought Dominguez dived

When asked whether he thought Dominguez had dived when challenging Hume for the ball, Postecoglou added: "I just thought play on, play on. But that's the referee's decision. There's nothing to say to him (Dominguez). I didn't think there was anything in it. Irrespective, even if the referee has made an absolute howler, we can still deal with the free kick better. We have to park that to one side. What we did after that is more of a concern to me than the decision."

Forest are now winless in Postecoglou's first five games in charge

The result means Postecoglou is now winless in his first five games since taking over the Forest helm on September 9. The former Tottenham head coach oversaw back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Swansea City in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively, before a 1-1 league draw with Burnley ensured Forest picked up their first point under his tutelage. Forest also drew 2-2 with Real Betis in their Europa League opener on Thursday, before suffering defeat against Sunderland in what was Postecoglou’s first home match as manager.