External expectations Doesn't Enter My Head, Affirms Confident Postecoglou
Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou maintains that any pressure regarding his role will not impact his approach.
The team remains without a victory in his initial half-dozen games since the Australian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.
A group of Forest fans chanted, "you're getting sacked in the morning", at the ex- Tottenham and Celtic boss following the recent 3-2 Europa League loss at home to the Danish side.
The Manager's Response to Criticism
Postecoglou, though, stated that the Europa League trophy he won at Tottenham last season, before being sacked in the summer, was proof he does not let external factors to affect his management.
"It doesn't enter my head," he added. "My responsibility lies in making sure this team advances and gets to a level where it can challenge for things," stated Postecoglou.
"If I start putting timelines to that or stress over what is occurring soon then I am not performing the role I have been given.
"I just don't think it is beneficial to anybody. At the end of the day, I have to focus on the atmosphere, the practice sessions, the way we play, and as I mentioned last night, I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.
"Put it this way - I was aware I was getting sacked at Tottenham about 3-4 months before I did, but that didn't stop me from securing a trophy."
Professional History
The 60-year-old joined Spurs from Celtic in 2023 and fans at first warmed to the coach for his offensive style of play, with the Londoners finishing 5th in the Premier League during his first season.
Postecoglou's following season was more difficult as Spurs finished 17th in the table. He did, however, guide the team to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the European final.
Present Circumstances
Forest visit Newcastle United on the weekend (2pm UK time).
Amid the poor run of results, there is little doubt it has been a difficult beginning for Postecoglou.
And the statistics demonstrate just how disappointing Forest have performed since his appointment.
Performance Analysis
- In Postecoglou's half-dozen games, they have lost on four occasions across multiple competitions
- No top-flight team has lost as many matches as Forest since his hiring
- They have conceded 13 goals - at a rate of over two per game
- Only Manchester United and Burnley have a poorer goals conceded per game record than Forest since Postecoglou's appointment
- Surprisingly, it is the 35th instance in which a Premier League manager has not secured a victory in their first six fixtures in all competitions
Historical Context
Paul Jewell holds the unenviable mark, having not won in his first 27 matches as Derby County manager in the 2007-2008 campaign.
Nuno was fired after just three fixtures of this campaign when Forest were 10th in the table. They are currently 17th, having drawn one and lost two of their three domestic matches under Postecoglou.
He is the initial full-time Forest manager in 100 years not to win any of initial six fixtures.
Supporter Perspective
This season should have been one of Nottingham Forest's finest in modern history. Qualification for Europe for the first time in 30 years, the strongest team this millennium and everyone at the club pulling in the same direction.
Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone out of the window. Nuno has departed, performances have been abject and on the recent evening the stadium turned on the recent appointment Ange Postecoglou after just six matches.
And yet it's typically characteristic Forest, a club that shifts from achievement to internal crisis like a novice motorist who fails to remain in a lane.
Future Challenges
With games against Newcastle, Chelsea, the Portuguese side, the Cherries and Manchester United coming up, it's very hard to say whether he can turn it around before it becomes even more negative.
But question any supporter and they'll inform you the same, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.