Nottinghamshire

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Can Ange Postecoglou turn things around at Nottingham Forest and mould a winning side in his image?

The manager and his staff, like other top-flight bosses competing in European competitions, have had little time to work with players on the training pitches given the relentless nature of the schedule.

Douglas Luiz, Murillo and Oleksandr Zinchenko are among those players Postecoglou feels need more training time.

He has identified the upcoming two-week international break as an "important" period for those who are not travelling to play for their countries.

Such time is precious, but it is particularly crucial when shifting from one style to another - as Joe Hart knows well, after their time together at Celtic.

"We were probably five, six or seven games into the season - having had a pre-season - before we were really flowing, understanding what he wants us to do and having confidence in it," the former goalkeeper told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Ange is a big man and he understands what he walked into."

Postecoglou certainly did not appear crestfallen after Forest's latest defeat against Newcastle.

After staying out to applaud the away end at full-time, he deadpanned that his situation was "a lost cause" when asked if he could turn things around with time.

"It's a fight and it's a struggle," he said. "So what? That's OK. If people outside or even internally don't think I'm the right person, it makes no difference to me.

"I took this role on knowing it would be a massive challenge with what we were trying to do in terms of changing the direction of the club. Nothing I've seen in the last three and a half weeks has changed my view on that.

"I love the challenge of taking this club to where it needs to be and I'm very confident of getting there."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Davey: It might not have been flowing football or particularly stylish, but winning games like this is essential to pushing for another Champions League qualification. We're still adapting to a new style of forward in the middle, but we were pretty solid in defence and our midfield wasn't bad either. Sandro Tonali was my man of the match - he never stops battling.

Bob: A good performance all round but one that might go under the radar is that of Anthony Gordon who was greatly improved. Malick Thiaw also looked solid alongside Sven Botman - a promising partnership there.

Andrew: A game of two halves. In the first half, we looked a bit disjointed. Maybe the pressure of a much-needed win was getting to the team. In the second half, we found some rhythm, created some great chances and deserved more than the two goals in the end. We need to build on the last two games.

Simon: A good solid performance across the team. It was tough to break down the Forest defence and their keeper kept them in the game. Good goal from Bruno Guimaraes and an excellent penalty from Nick Woltemade. Well earned three points.

Forest fans

Mike: I can see exactly what Ange Postecoglou is trying to do and the fanbase need to cut him some slack. I agree that results have not gone his way so far but he had a hard act to follow and in these crazy times he deserves some support. The real problem lies in the ownership and letting Nuno Espirito Santo go which could or maybe will prove catastrophic. Onwards and upwards. We will get better.

Matt: Some improvement but is it enough? I doubt it. Matz Sels brilliance aside it could have been three or four and then it would be a foregone conclusion. As nice a man as Ange comes across as, he's not for Forest and I think it's just a matter of time.

Adam: First half I thought we played well and did a good job. Second half Newcastle out on more pressure and it paid off. I'd like to say things are starting to improve but Newcastle have been poor so far this season as well so it's hardly a good result. I'd happily take Steve Cooper back to be honest.

Graham: I keep refreshing the BBC site, hoping for the news we all want to come. Sadly it has not.

Image source, Mirror and Star

Former Premier League goalkeeper David James believes Ange Postecoglou has inherited a Nottingham Forest side with "problems" that were masked by Matz Sels' brilliance last season.

The defeat by Newcastle means Postecoglou has failed to win any of his first seven games in all competitions and Forest have conceded an average of more than two goals per match.

"If it had not have been for Sels, it could have been a five-goal defeat easily," said James on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Last season, he was outstanding and they would never have got to where they did if they had a lesser goalkeeper.

"But if the goalkeeper is having to play that well through the course of the season, then there is a problem with who is in front of him.

"Postecoglou was not there then so there is a bigger problem for him to deal with.

"He hasn't got the comfort of a transfer window right now, but they need to let him get to one."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Pundits Joe Hart and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

• Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

• Wolves 1-1 Brighton

• Brentford 0-1 Man City

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou smiled as he greeted security staff and walked through the players' entrance after getting off the team bus before this game.

But, in truth, the Nottingham Forest manager has had little to be happy about of late after seeing his side concede 15 goals and fail to win any of his opening seven games in charge.

Having been subjected to taunts from a section of his own supporters on Thursday night, something had to change against Newcastle and it was rather telling that Postecoglou shook up his backline and handed captain Ryan Yates, Nicolo Savona and Jair Cunha their first Premier League starts of the season.

The Australian stressed the importance of staying switched on and making it difficult for Newcastle - and Nottingham Forest defended manfully before going behind.

Morato throwing his way in front of a shot from Woltemade inside the box to prevent a certain goal at 0-0 epitomised that defend-at-all costs mentality.

But Nottingham Forest never truly looked like getting back into this game once Guimaraes opened the scoring.

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their defeat to Newcastle: "It is always a difficult game to navigate up here with the atmosphere and the stadium. I thought for the most part we handled it pretty well. We nullified their main threats for the most part. We were always dangerous going the other way. We had some big moments we didn't capitalise on and when you don't the game gets away from you.

"The chances we did create I felt we could have executed them better. They created some chances towards the end when they opened up. It is the little moments in games that we are not capitalising on that is costing us."

On the challenge he is facing: "I knew it was a big challenge walking in. There is nothing wrong with that. I don't get why people think it is a burden but I love a challenge. The alternative is sitting at home watching the game and I don't want to do that.

"We just have to get the results now and we have two weeks to get it right. If people want to assess me three-and-a-half weeks in there is nothing I can say that will change that. What I have seen and felt in this period is that we are heading in the direction I want us to. The results will come in the meantime it is a struggle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. We don't want things handed on plate we have to fight for it, I have fought for things all my life."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 15 Premier League games, their joint-longest run since returning to the competition in 2022 (also 15 from Feb-May 2023).

Hear more from Postecoglou on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Forest's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Newcastle v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Aston Villa v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (after Singapore Grand Prix)

• Brentford v Man City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wolves v Brighton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Newcastle have named an unchanged side against Nottingham Forest following the club's biggest ever Champions League victory.

The Magpies beat Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Brussels on Wednesday night and head coach Eddie Howe has opted to name the same side as a result.

Newcastle starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.

Subs: Ramsdale, Schar, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Miley.

Nottingham Forest have made four changes from the side who were defeated by Midtjylland.

Captain Ryan Yates, Nicolo Savona and Jair Cunha have been handed their first top-flight starts of the campaign by manager Ange Postecoglou while Chris Wood leads the line.

Nottingham Forest starting XI: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Savona, Yates, Anderson, Williams, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Wood.

Subs: John, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Jesus, Hutchinson, McAtee, Bakwa.

Newcastle scored four goals in Belgium in midweek - the same number as they have managed in their first six league games.

Eddie Howe's side are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League, along with Villa and Wolves, so getting a big win like that will be important for them.

They have lost twice at home already, but that was to Arsenal and Liverpool, and on both occasions to late goals.

Yes, the Gunners were the better team on Sunday but Newcastle had lots of chances against Liverpool so they can definitely feel a bit hard done by.

I am expecting them to get more chances here, because I think this game will be really open with both teams going for it.

I am going to go with Newcastle to be wearing their shooting boots again, and keep Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first Premier League win.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Newcastle are seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this term and face a Nottingham Forest side seemingly stuck in reverse. BBC Sport explores some key themes before Sunday's clash on Tyneside.

When Ange Postecoglou took the reins at Nottingham Forest a little over three weeks ago there were obvious questions about the logic of his appointment.

A coach wedded to high-pressing, possession-based principles was now in charge of a group drilled to sit in low blocks and counter attack under the more pragmatic Nuno Espirito Santo.

Winning over the fans was always going to take time given the popularity of his predecessor, as was the enormous shift of tactical styles. But not many would have foreseen such a poor start.

Postecoglou is the first permanent Forest manager in 100 years to go without a win in his opening six matches, with his fourth defeat coming at home to Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.

The first European fixture at the City Ground for 29 years promised to be a joyous occasion, but after the 3-2 loss Postecoglou was subjected to chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" by the home support.

"The fans are disappointed. I heard their opinion," said Postecoglou. "I would prefer if people were optimistic in their outlook of what I'm doing. I can only change that by winning games of football."

Newcastle away is the next test for Postecoglou and his personal record at St. James' Park is two defeats from two previous visits with Spurs, including a 4-0 thrashing in April 2024. Forest's record is even worse – they've lost eight of their last nine visits to Tyneside, conceding 24 goals across in that time.

Are Newcastle clicking into gear?

Newcastle are heading into this weekend as the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers with just four goals so far. Six points from six games also represents their worst start to a season under head coach Eddie Howe.

But there is reason to believe that his side have started to click, especially if their midweek performance is anything to go by.

The Magpies recorded their biggest ever Champions League win with a 4-0 victory over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday. It was also their first away triumph in the competition for 22 years.

"Hopefully it helps us when we return to the Premier League because we've been waiting for a performance like that," said Howe after the match. "It wasn't perfect – there are things we can improve – but it was a big step in the right direction."

Anthony Gordon's brace of penalties underpinned the victory and he became the fifth player to score twice for Newcastle in a Champions League away game, following in the footsteps of three well-known forwards and a left-back.

There was also another goal for club record signing Nick Woltemade, although there were doubts about who got the final touch on Sandro Tonali's deflected effort.

The German striker has scored in his first two home Premier League appearances for Newcastle and could join an illustrious club this weekend if he can find the net again, with Les Ferdinand in 1995 and Shearer in 1996 the only players to score in their opening three at St James' Park.