Postecoglou Vows to 'Fight' Amid Forest Struggles Following Newcastle Defeat

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou says he "expects" talks with owner Evangelos Marinakis and the club's hierarchy following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park. The loss, Forest's fifth in seven games in all competitions since Postecoglou took charge last month, leaves them just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Pressure Mounts on Forest Boss

The Newcastle defeat, secured through goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade, amplified the pressure on the Australian manager. Chants of "sacked in the morning" rained down from the home fans after Woltemade's penalty sealed the victory. Forest have conceded an average of over two goals per match during Postecoglou's tenure, a stark contrast to their defensive solidity that helped secure European football last season.

Postecoglou acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "If people want to make an assessment after three and a half weeks, after we have had seven games, there's nothing I can do about that. At the same time, there's nothing wrong with things being tough. I love a fight."

Tactical Shift Fails to Deliver

In an attempt to address Forest's defensive frailties, Postecoglou opted for a more pragmatic approach against Newcastle, a departure from his typically attacking philosophy. Captain Ryan Yates, Nicolo Savona, and Jair Cunha were all handed their first league starts of the season in a reshaped backline. While Forest defended resolutely for periods, they ultimately succumbed to Newcastle's pressure.

Expert Analysis: Pragmatism Not Enough

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day, commented on Forest's tactical setup: "I actually think [Postecoglou] set them up in the right way because they have been conceding a lot of goals. It was actually quite a pragmatic performance, and they were not run ragged. They were maybe too defensive at times, but they were nice and compact, worked hard and were in the game at half-time." However, Murphy added that once Newcastle broke the deadlock, Forest lacked the attacking impetus to respond.

Statistical Struggles

Newcastle's dominance was reflected in the statistics. They registered 18 shots, 33 touches in the box, and eight corners. Forest, in contrast, had an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.29, highlighting their struggles in creating meaningful chances. Goalkeeper Matz Sels, facing his former club, made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but Woltemade's late penalty ultimately sealed Forest's fate.

Postecoglou Remains Defiant

Despite the mounting pressure, Postecoglou remained defiant, emphasizing his commitment to the project at Nottingham Forest. He identified the upcoming international break as a crucial period for working with players on the training ground, citing Douglas Luiz, Murillo, and Oleksandr Zinchenko as players who need focused training time. This lack of training time has been a persistent issue for clubs competing in European competitions, making it difficult for new managers to implement their ideas quickly.

Historical Context: The Patience Factor

Historically, Premier League clubs have shown varying levels of patience with new managers. While some managers have been given ample time to build their teams, others have been dismissed after a short period of poor results. The modern game, with its intense media scrutiny and high financial stakes, often demands immediate success, putting pressure on managers to deliver quickly. The example of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, who initially struggled before building a title-winning team, highlights the potential rewards of patience.

Hart's Perspective: Time is Key

Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart, who played under Postecoglou at Celtic, believes that time is essential for the manager to implement his vision. "We were probably five, six or seven games into the season - having had a pre-season - before we were really flowing, understanding what he wants us to do and had confidence in it," Hart told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Ange is a big man and he understands what he was walking into."

Postecoglou concluded, "It's a fight, it's a struggle? So what? That's OK. If people outside or even internally don't think I'm the right person, it makes no difference for me. I love the challenge of taking this club to where it needs to be and I'm very confident of getting there."