Pressure Doesn't Enter My Head, Affirms Confident Postecoglou
Forest manager Ange Postecoglou insists that external scrutiny regarding his position will not impact his methodology.
The team is winless in his first six matches since the coach took over from Nuno Espirito Santo at the club's stadium.
A section of Forest supporters chanted, "you'll be dismissed in the morning", towards the former Tottenham and Celtic manager following Thursday's 3-2 Europa League defeat at their ground to Midtjylland.
The Manager's Response to Pressure
Postecoglou, however, stated that the European title he secured at Tottenham the previous campaign, before being sacked in the off-season, was evidence he does not let pressure to affect his coaching.
"It doesn't enter my head," he added. "My responsibility involves ensuring this team advances and gets to a position where it can challenge for things," said Postecoglou.
"If I start putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen soon then I am not performing the role I have been given.
"I just don't think it is beneficial to anybody. Ultimately, I have to concentrate on the atmosphere, the training, the way we play, and as I said recently, I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are close to success.
"To explain - I knew I was being dismissed at Tottenham about 3-4 months before I was, but that didn't stop me from winning something."
Professional History
The 60-year-old moved to Spurs from Celtic in 2023 and supporters at first embraced the coach for his attacking playing style, with the London club finishing 5th in the Premier League during his debut campaign.
Postecoglou's second term was challenging as Spurs ended fourth from bottom in the standings. He nevertheless, lead the team to their first trophy in 17 years as they defeated Manchester United in the European championship match.
Current Situation
Forest visit Newcastle United on Sunday (14:00 BST).
Amid the poor run of outcomes, there is no denying it has been a difficult start for Postecoglou.
And the statistics demonstrate just how disappointing Forest have been since his arrival.
Statistical Analysis
- In Postecoglou's six matches, they have lost on four occasions across three different competitions
- No top-flight team has been defeated in as many matches as Forest since his appointment
- They have conceded thirteen scores - at a average of 2.17 per game
- Only Manchester United and Burnley have a poorer defensive per game average than Forest since Postecoglou's arrival
- Unexpectedly, it is the 35th instance in which a top-flight manager has not secured a victory in any of first six matches in all competitions
Record Context
Paul Jewell holds the unenviable mark, having not won any of his initial twenty-seven games as Derby County boss in the 2007/08 season.
Nuno was dismissed after only three fixtures of this campaign when Forest were 10th in the standings. They are now 17th, having tied once and lost two of their three league matches under Postecoglou.
He is the first permanent Forest manager in 100 years not to win any of first six fixtures.
Supporter Perspective
This campaign could have been one of Nottingham Forest's best in recent times. Qualification for Europe for the initial occasion in three decades, the strongest team this millennium and everyone at the club pulling in the same direction.
Unexpectedly, at least for now, that has all gone away. Nuno has left, displays have been poor and on the recent evening the stadium criticized the new manager Ange Postecoglou after only six games.
And yet it's typically classic Forest, a team that veers from success to self-made disaster like a novice motorist who fails to remain in a lane.
Future Challenges
With games against the Magpies, Chelsea, the Portuguese side, Bournemouth and the Red Devils approaching, it's quite difficult to say whether he can reverse the situation before it becomes even more negative.
But question any supporter and they'll tell you the identical thing, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.
