External expectations Won't Enter My Head, Affirms Confident Postecoglou

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou maintains that external scrutiny regarding his role will not influence his methodology.

The team is without a victory in his first six matches since the coach replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.

A section of Forest supporters chanted, "you'll be dismissed in the morning", at the former Tottenham and Celtic boss following Thursday's 3-2 European loss at their ground to Midtjylland.

The Manager's Response to Criticism

Postecoglou, however, stated that the European title he won at Tottenham last season, before being sacked in the summer, was proof he does not let external factors to impact his management.

"I don't think about it," he added. "My responsibility lies in making sure this team advances and gets to a level where it can compete for titles," stated Postecoglou.

"Should I begin setting deadlines to that or worry about what is going to happen soon then I am not fulfilling the position I have been assigned.

"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 remain extremely confident in my conviction that we are not too far away.

"To explain - I was aware I was being dismissed at Tottenham approximately 3-4 months prior to I was, but that didn't stop me from winning something."

Career History

The veteran coach joined Spurs from Celtic in 2023 and fans at first embraced the Australian for his offensive style of play, with the Londoners ending up fifth in the English top flight during his debut campaign.

Postecoglou's second term was challenging as Spurs finished fourth from bottom in the standings. He did, however, lead the team to their first trophy in nearly two decades as they beat Manchester United in the European final.

Present Situation

Forest travel to Newcastle United on Sunday (14:00 BST).

With the current poor run of results, there is no denying it has been a difficult beginning for Postecoglou.

And the statistics illustrate just how disappointing Forest have been since his appointment.

Statistical Analysis

• In Postecoglou's half-dozen games, they have lost four times across multiple competitions
• No Premier League team has lost as many matches as Forest since his appointment
• They have conceded 13 goals - at a average of over two per game
• Only Manchester United and Burnley have a worse goals conceded per game record than Forest since Postecoglou's arrival
• Unexpectedly, it is the 35th occurrence in which a Premier League manager has failed to win in any of first six fixtures in all competitions

Record Context

Paul Jewell maintains the record, having failed to win in his first 27 games as Derby County manager in the 2007/08 season.

Nuno was fired after just three fixtures of this season when Forest were 10th in the standings. They are currently seventeenth, having drawn one and lost two of their three league games under Postecoglou.

He is the first permanent Forest coach in a century not to win his first six matches.

Fan Perspective

This campaign could have been one of Nottingham Forest's finest in recent times. Entry into Europe for the initial occasion in three decades, the best squad this century and all involved working towards the same direction.

Unexpectedly, at least for now, that has completely vanished away. Nuno has left, displays have been abject and on the recent evening the stadium criticized the new manager Ange Postecoglou after only six matches.

However it's very much characteristic Forest, a team that veers from achievement to self-made disaster like a novice motorist who can't stay in a lane.

Upcoming Fixtures

With games against Newcastle, Chelsea, Porto, Bournemouth and Manchester United coming up, it's quite difficult to predict if he can reverse the situation before it becomes even more negative.

But question any fan and they'll tell you the same, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.