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Replacing a team icon was always going to be a tough assignment, but the previous manager succeeded to achieve a smart strategy after Steve Cooper’s exit: winning his first two fixtures. A great deal is forgotten about the first six months of Nuno’s time in charge, when the squad survived just one position above the drop zone and endured a period of taking victory in only one time in 10 top-flight matches.

The former boss had done the vital task of boosting morale and winning over the supporters by beating Newcastle away and generating enthusiasm by overcoming a major rival at home, and nobody was calling for aesthetic football. The home stadium was buzzing in late December 2023, and home fans did not mind that they saw only two more victories there for the remainder of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest supporters call for Postecoglou dismissal after 23 days following continental defeat.

The Australian coach is still waiting to experience a win, becoming the initial Forest manager in a century to be unable to win any of their first six fixtures. There was a poisonous atmosphere at the City Ground on the recent matchday as they succumbed to the second-best team in the Danish league. When fans are demanding your sacking after three weeks, it is reasonable to say things are not going well. On Friday there were no intentions to fire the manager but a loss at St James’ Park on the weekend could end his position.

All those at the organization understood there would be a period of change because the Australian’s style of play is virtually a complete contrast to the one his predecessor carefully developed there. The plan was evolving under the former coach but not at the speed Postecoglou is attempting to implement.

Starting with four away games was consistently going to be a difficult ask for the manager. Kicking off at Arsenal meant building momentum from the first whistle was improbable but losing at Swansea in the domestic cup and drawing at another opponent put Postecoglou on the defensive. The match at Real Betis appeared to be a positive shift because the showing was strong and fitting with expectations regarding the manager’s style. The methods were sound and, if not for a last-minute opposing player goal, takeoff would have commenced.

However Forest remain stuck. If the coach could have been forgiven for the performances on the road, falling at their stadium to a visiting team and Midtjylland was never part of the thinking. There was a degree of explanation in the first home defeat: a soft free-kick award that led to the winner and poor shooting from Forest meant the result went back to the north-east. Forest had nearly two-thirds of possession and 22 shots but beating an rival on expected goals is irrelevant.

Ange Postecoglou and Neco Williams will aim to turn the team’s fortunes around at Newcastle on the upcoming matchday.

There was a belief that once the strikers regained their scoring touch, all aspects would be fine but ineffective finishing is only one of the problems facing Postecoglou. The robust defensive unit constructed by the previous manager has been dismantled, leaving him still waiting for a clean sheet. Defending set pieces has been problematic, two of Midtjylland’s goals originating from them, and the other goal Forest conceded was from a counterattack, the type that were a regular occurrence during Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham.

The coach was eager to get back to work promptly after being sacked by Tottenham, particularly with a European honor around his neck. He wanted to prove critics wrong and Forest offered that opportunity, with the extra incentive of being in the competition he had triumphed in in the spring. The Greek link with Forest’s proprietor, the club’s chief, facilitated make the appointment smooth and the manager, in spite of his critics, does have the qualifications necessary – but practicality was not to be part of the equation.

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Nuno was never fired for football reasons but for picking a dispute with the owner that he was never going to win. Ending up seventh and taking Forest into continental competition made him incredibly popular. Despite his complaints, a team able of ending in the top half was assembled and plenty of money was invested. After far too much immediate thinking at Forest, they had a defined future plan and strategy, which included a team that suited the previous boss. Now it feels as if a new figure has entered the home and the children are not happy.

Visits to Newcastle and another rival bookend the visit of a top team in the upcoming trio of league games, implying life is only going to get harder. Marinakis made the selection with his heart and is desperately hoping to prevent another dismissal because firing the manager would be an admission that he made a pair of dreadful choices in dismissing the former coach and selecting the successor. Football is one big public approval contest and the ex-boss began winning his at St James’ Park. The current manager needs to do the same or he risks forfeiting his for good.