United manager has some aspects to iron out

Robson has spent the club’s pre-season programme casting a critical eye over the players he inherited earlier this summer but with no more notable friendlies scheduled before Colchester arrive in South Yorkshire on August 11, Colin Calderwood’s side provide the last opportunity to test the knowledge he has gleaned from a month’s worth of training sessions.

Anyone who watched Robson stand, sergeant-major-like, on the pitch at Millmoor on Tuesday as United’s unused substitutes performed an impromptu work-out will know that nothing has been left the chance.

The majority of his plan to ensure a successful start to the Championship campaign has already been drafted but a number of issues - most notably how best to improve creativity in midfield - have yet to be resolved and, in a division as competitive as the Championship, big matches are decided by small details.

Having declared himself happy with United’s defensive performances in recent games, Robson has spent the past three days grappling with the problem of how best to improve his team’s efforts on the edge of the opposition penalty box and expects to see a significant improvement against Forest.

“That’s what we’ll be working on for the next couple of days,” Robson said. “And we’ll want to put that to the test against Forest because they’re are going to be our toughest (opponents) yet.

“I’ve decided certain things in my own mind but there are still places up for grabs and this is one of those occasions when people can force themselves into the picture or make my mind up for me.

“I’m happy with the way things are coming on but there are areas where we need to improve.

“We’re solid but I want us to create more.”

New signing Lee Hendrie could coax more invention out of a department high on guts but, by Robson’s own admission, low on guile and the former Aston Villa midfielder could be set to make his long awaited ‘debut’ against Forest.

“Lee didn’t play against Rotherham because he’s just lacking a little bit of fitness,” Robson confirmed. “Because he had to work on his own for a while (after leaving Villa) he’s just a little bit behind where the rest of the lads are.”

With a bid for Wigan’s Kevin Kilbane also pending, Robson appears to have resolved that a major makeover of United’s engine room is required to maximise the playing staff’s potential but, rather than being a damning indictment on the quality of the present incumbents, the former England captain is understood to have concluded that an injection of fresh blood is also likely to excuse those possessing the invention to unlock a defence from some of their more laborious responsibilities.

The imminent return of Nick Montgomery - the loyal warhorse recently receiving the all-clear to resume contact work at Shirecliffe following a shoulder injury - is, therefore, timely.

“Nick’s been working hard doing his running and in the gym - his fitness and work rate really impresses me - so it’s good that he can now join in properly with the rest of the lads.”

With United’s starting eleven against Colchester likely to be almost identical to the one which appears tomorrow, Robson will be pleased to learn that Forest are likely to include Neil Lennon in their travelling party.

n KO time on Saturday is 1pm.