Postecoglou Faces Losing Fan Support Battle Without A Strong Start

Taking over from a team icon was always going to be a challenging assignment, but Nuno Espírito Santo succeeded to achieve a shrewd move after the former coach’s departure: winning his first two matches. Much is overlooked about the first six months of his time in charge, when the team stayed up just one place above the relegation zone and endured a stretch of winning only one time in 10 Premier League matches.

The former boss had accomplished the crucial task of boosting morale and gaining the backing of the fans by defeating an opponent away and creating excitement by overcoming a major rival at their own ground, and no one was demanding aesthetic football. The City Ground was buzzing in late December 2023, and local supporters did not mind that they witnessed only another two wins there for the remainder of the campaign.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste success, becoming the initial Forest manager in a century to fail to secure a victory in any of their first six games. There was a poisonous atmosphere at the stadium on the recent matchday as they succumbed to the runner-up team in Denmark. When supporters are calling for your dismissal after 23 days, it is fair to say the situation are not progressing smoothly. On the next day there were no plans to dismiss the manager but a loss at Newcastle on Sunday could cost him his job.

Everyone at the organization understood there would be a phase of transition because the Australian’s tactical approach is virtually a polar opposite to the one his predecessor carefully developed there. The strategy was evolving under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is trying to introduce.

Beginning with four away games was always going to be a difficult ask for Postecoglou. Kicking off at a top side meant building positive energy from the outset was improbable but losing at Swansea in the Carabao Cup and drawing at Burnley put him on the defensive. The match at Real Betis appeared to be a turning point because the showing was strong and in line with anticipations regarding Postecoglou’s style. The processes were sound and, but for a late opposing player goal, takeoff would have begun.

However Forest are still grounded. If Postecoglou could have been forgiven for the away results, losing at home to a visiting team and Midtjylland was never part of the plan. There was a element of mitigation in the initial home defeat: a soft set-piece award that led to the decisive goal and appalling shooting from Forest meant the points went back to the north-east. Forest had nearly the majority of the ball and multiple attempts but outscoring an rival on xG is meaningless.

There was a belief that when the forwards found their scoring touch, all aspects would be resolved but poor conversion is only one of the issues confronting the boss. The robust defensive unit built by Nuno has been taken apart, leaving Postecoglou awaiting a shutout. Defending dead-ball situations has been problematic, a pair of the opponent’s goals originating from them, and the remaining goal Forest conceded was from a counterattack, the sort that were a common occurrence during his time at Tottenham.

Postecoglou was eager to get back to management promptly after being sacked by his previous employers, especially with a European winner’s medal around his neck. He wanted to prove people wrong and Forest offered that chance, with the extra incentive of being in the tournament he had won in May. The Hellenic connection with Forest’s proprietor, Evangelos Marinakis, facilitated make the appointment smooth and the manager, in spite of his detractors, possesses the qualifications required – but practicality was not to be part of the equation.

The former manager was never fired for football reasons but for picking a fight with Marinakis that he was never going to prevail in. Ending up seventh and guiding Forest into continental competition made him extremely beloved. Despite his gripes, a squad capable of finishing in the upper section was assembled and plenty of funds was spent. After excessive immediate thinking at Forest, they had a clear future plan and strategy, which featured a team that fit Nuno. Now it feels as if a new figure has moved into the house and the residents are displeased.

Trips to Newcastle and Bournemouth bookend the home game of Chelsea in the upcoming trio of Premier League fixtures, suggesting the situation is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the selection with his emotions and is urgently wishing to avoid another dismissal because firing Postecoglou would be an admission that he made two dreadful decisions in dismissing Nuno and selecting the replacement. Football is one big popularity competition and Nuno began gaining his at St James’ Park. The current manager needs to do the same or he faces the possibility of forfeiting his for good.