Pressure Won't Affect Me, Affirms Bullish Postecoglou
Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou maintains that any pressure regarding his position will not influence his approach.
The team remains without a victory in his first six matches since the Australian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the club's stadium.
A section of Forest supporters shouted, "you'll be dismissed in the morning", at the former Tottenham and Celtic manager following the recent 3-2 European defeat at their ground to the Danish side.
The Manager's Response to Pressure
Postecoglou, though, mentioned that the European trophy he secured at Tottenham last season, before being sacked in the off-season, was evidence he does not let pressure to affect his coaching.
"I don't think about it," he continued. "My responsibility involves ensuring this football club advances and reaches a level where it can compete for titles," stated Postecoglou.
"Should I begin putting timelines to that or stress over what is going to happen soon then I am not performing the role I have been given.
"I just don't think it is helpful to anybody. Ultimately, I have to focus on the atmosphere, the training, the style of play, and as I mentioned last night, I am still extremely confident in my belief that we are close to success.
"Put it this way - I knew I was being dismissed at Tottenham about three or four months prior to I was, but that didn't stop me from winning something."
Career History
The veteran coach joined Spurs from Celtic in the previous year and fans initially embraced the Australian for his attacking style of play, with the Londoners ending up fifth in the English top flight during his first season.
Postecoglou's following season was more difficult as Spurs ended 17th in the table. He nevertheless, guide the club to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League championship match.
Present Circumstances
Forest travel to Newcastle United on Sunday (2pm UK time).
With the current unfavorable streak of outcomes, there is little doubt it has been a difficult beginning for Postecoglou.
And the statistics illustrate just how disappointing Forest have performed since his appointment.
Statistical Breakdown
- In Postecoglou's six matches, they have lost on four occasions across three different competitions
- No top-flight team has lost as many matches as Forest since his hiring
- They have allowed thirteen scores - at a rate of over two per game
- Only Manchester United and Burnley have a poorer goals conceded per game average than Forest since Postecoglou's arrival
- Surprisingly, it is the 35th instance in which a Premier League manager has failed to win in their initial six matches in all competitions
Historical Perspective
Paul Jewell holds the record, having not won any of his first 27 games as Derby County manager in the 2007/08 season.
Nuno was fired after only three matches of this campaign when Forest were tenth in the table. They are currently 17th, having tied once and lost two of their three domestic games under Postecoglou.
He is the initial full-time Forest coach in 100 years not to win his first six matches.
Supporter Perspective
This campaign should have been one of Nottingham Forest's finest in recent times. Entry into Europe for the first time in 30 years, the strongest team this millennium and all involved working towards the same direction.
Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone away. Nuno has departed, displays have been abject and on the recent evening the stadium turned on the new manager Ange Postecoglou after only six games.
However it's typically classic Forest, a team that veers from achievement to self-made disaster like a learner driver who can't stay in a traffic line.
Upcoming Challenges
Amid fixtures against Newcastle, Chelsea, the Portuguese side, the Cherries and the Red Devils coming up, it's quite difficult to say whether he can reverse the situation before it becomes increasingly negative.
But ask any fan and they'll inform you the same, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.
