Nottingham Forest poured cold water on Ange Postecoglou’s start to management with a lousy run of results. As a result, fans and stakeholders have been left to wonder what the club’s long-term direction will be. Ever since he’s taken charge, Postecoglou has not secured a victory in six games. That’s put a lot of pressure on his schemes and the defense as a whole. The young squad is mostly made up of players in their early to mid 20s. They’ve failed to make adjustments under his direction while opening the season with a brutal slate of games.
Although they have shown promise during the games, Postecoglou’s side has not been able to turn chances into goals. That’s led to an empty scoreboard and increasing heat on the gaffer. True, Postecoglou is only six games into his campaign and has yet to win a match. This has led to considerable questioning of his approach and the direction of the team.
A Changing Lineup and Inconsistent Performances
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Postecoglou’s nascent management is his courageous choice. He hasn’t picked the same starting eleven for any of his games to date. Naturally, fans and analysts across the country are shaking their heads at this move. Having a consistent lineup means you’re going to improve your chemistry and you’re going to improve your understanding on the field.
In his current managerial record, Postecoglou has shown up on the opposite side of 25 matches as the winner, while losing 30 times and managing 11 draws. His last win was in May when he was at Spurs. His current streak without a win at Nottingham Forest has drawn attention to his coaching style and ability to motivate a relatively youthful squad.
The Nottingham Forest team has averaged 14.7 shots per game, with notable performances against Sunderland and Midtjylland, where they accumulated 22 shots across those two matches. These efforts have not been converted into goals, thus drawing deserved criticism for their effectiveness in front of goal.
“That means we don’t get the result we wanted. We had enough chances to win it. We have been wasteful in front of goal.” – Ange Postecoglou
Set-Piece Vulnerabilities Exposed
Warning signs for Postecoglou’s team as they continue to show vulnerability during set-pieces. This vulnerability has resulted in a heavy price paid by them in recent games. In his inaugural match versus Arsenal, the squad allowed two goals directly from set-piece situations. That hasn’t changed in matches against Midtjylland and Sunderland where both sides exposed Nottingham Forest’s clear frailties.
Versus Midtjylland, the failure to be well versed for set-piece threats made room for them to have a free run towards goal. Sunderland made the most of this unpreparedness, emphasizing an even more alarming issue for Postecoglou’s tactical vision.
Given all of these obstacles, Nottingham Forest’s squad depth is truly being tested. Getting Jesus back does provide the team, and its fans, a glimmer of hope. Pinamonti registered an assist in the scoreless match against Midtjylland before succumbing to injury. Concerns remain over the shape and health of some major contributors. Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Callum Hudson-Odoi aren’t just innocently caught in the storm of this trade war.
Owner’s Pressure and Expectations for Improvement
The pressure is already building for Postecoglou. Owner Evangelos Marinakis has been very clear that he will act fast if performances aren’t turned around in short order. So the pressure is on for a high profile DC return that focuses on tactical upgrades. Fans are looking for tangible impacts on the field!
Despite the lack of respect shown by many fans, Postecoglou knows the uphill battle he has ahead. He’s clearly aware that in order for Nottingham Forest to be a success, he needs time, and he needs momentum.
“The fans are not going to love me from the first day, I’ve got to earn their respect. It’s a unique club where if you get that momentum, great things can happen.” – Ange Postecoglou
Seen through this lens, the fact that Postecoglou needs to find a winning formula quickly is no less important. Home fixtures against Minnesota and St. Louis in the future offer much needed chances to change the momentum of a season that opened with catastrophe.
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