By Martin Graham
Ange Postecoglou insisted he remains committed to his approach despite home supporters calling for his dismissal following Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League.
The Australian has overseen six matches since taking charge on 9 September but has yet to register a single victory, becoming the first full-time Forest boss in a century to endure such a start.
Midtjylland’s Valdemar Byskov struck late at the City Ground to hand the Danish side all three points, prompting loud chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the stands. Boos also followed Postecoglou as he made his way down the tunnel after the final whistle.
Forest’s first European night at home in 29 years ended in bitter disappointment, with supporters voicing their frustration long before the match concluded.
Manager acknowledges criticism but stays resolute
“The fans are disappointed. They are allowed to have an opinion on it. I heard their opinion,” Postecoglou said after the match.
“Nothing surprises me in football. It’s the climate we’re in. It seems that’s the way things are going. It’s nothing I can control,” he added, accepting the negative atmosphere but stressing he will not abandon his methods.
Only a few months ago, Postecoglou lifted this competition’s trophy with Tottenham, but his tenure there ended abruptly 16 days later due to poor league form. He now faces early difficulties at another club as pressure intensifies.
Results spark frustration towards ownership too
Forest spent approximately £180m during the summer, aiming to build on last season’s achievements. Nuno Espirito Santo led the team to seventh in the Premier League before being dismissed amid a deteriorating relationship with Evangelos Marinakis.
Postecoglou succeeded Nuno but has been unable to maintain momentum. Saturday’s narrow home defeat to Sunderland in the league added to the poor run, and frustration is now also being directed at the club’s hierarchy.
Supporters even sang in tribute to Nuno, who is now managing West Ham, rubbing salt into the wounds of another difficult night.
Coach believes breakthrough is near
Postecoglou maintains faith in the squad’s progress. “My responsibility is to make sure we get some wins for this football club and progress it,” he explained.
“I would prefer if people were optimistic in their outlook of what I’m doing. I can only change that by winning games of football. Irrespective, that’s not going to change the way I’m taking things on. I really believe in the process of what we’re doing and I don’t think we’re far away from being the team that can eradicate the situation we’re in at the moment and get the results.”
He added that nothing he saw against Midtjylland altered his view of the team’s direction. “I get the mood around the place isn’t going to be great, and I understand people’s attitude at the moment, particularly towards me, but it’s not unfamiliar territory for me. I believe we are on the right track and when we get through this period of uncertainty we are in, we will be on a good path.”
Familiar defensive issues prove costly again
Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech both found the net for Midtjylland in the first half, with Dan Ndoye briefly equalising in between. Chris Wood’s late penalty offered hope but could not change the outcome.
Forest had drawn 2-2 away to Real Betis in their previous group fixture and now face Newcastle in the Premier League before the international break.
“It’s a really poor outcome from us,” Postecoglou reflected. “It was an important night for many reasons and [a] similar tale, us letting ourselves down in key moments and having a mountain to climb. If you allow the opportunity to score every time they get near your goal, it’s going to be hard to win games of football.”
