Former Hoops boss has defended his shaky start to life at the City Ground following his appointment earlier this month
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Nottingham Forest’s decision to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach earlier this month was met with plenty of backlash from fans as he seeks redemption following his controversial dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur.
The move - potentially driven by his close personal connection with fellow countryman and controversial club owner Evangelos Marinakis - has been viewed as a risky gamble, with the Aussie back in the dugout just three months after being sacked by their Premier League rivals.
That came despite leading the North London club to Europa League glory last season, but their worst-ever league campaign led Daniel Levy to wield the axe and the former Celtic boss will now attempt to end Forest’s lengthy trophy drought which stretches back to 1990.
However, supporters remain unconvinced he is the right man to take the Reds forward, particularly in Europe with one punter even suggesting “he’ll take us from Betis to Barnsley”.
Asked if he feels any added pressure to deliver results to try and change the narrative over his arrival at the City Ground, Postecoglou stated: “I think there's been negativity around my arrival since I got to the Premier League. So that's kind of the constant space I'm in. So, no, look, it's not about me.
“Like I said, I think it is important we win on Saturday. Not for me to ease the pressure, I think. But we've lost the last two games in the Premier League, and in the Premier League, every game is tough.
“You don't want to sort of be in a position where you haven't won because then you start chasing the game a little bit. We've got to try and make amends after two poor Premier League results to try and get points on the board and start moving us in the right direction on the table.”
Nottingham Forest ‘paid the ultimate price’ in Carabao Cup exit
Discussing Forest’s recent form, Postecoglou admits he is expecting a positive performance from his side when they visit fellow early season strugglers Burnley this weekend.
He felt his players “paid the ultimate price” in the final 15 minutes of their midweek 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to EFL Championship opponents Swansea having found themselves 2-0 up, but saw signs that the squad he has inherited from Nuno Espirito Santo are taking his ideas on board.
Postecoglou added: “It's just disappointing in a game where we did so many good things that we just sort of let the game get away from us. And you exit a competition where you could potentially have some success in.
“But again, that's just part of the process we're in at the moment. I know the players were disappointed with the way we handled the last sort of 10, 15 minutes of the game. And we paid the ultimate price for it. That's what happens in cup competitions.”