Nottinghamshire

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There had been a mixed response among Nottingham Forest fans to the bringing in of Ange Postecoglou as Nuno Espirito Santo's successor.

The Australian coach led Tottenham to Europa League triumph in May but their Premier League form last season was awful, as they finished just one place above the relegation zone.

A quirk of the fixture list meant that Postecoglou's first four games at Forest were all away. But, while he failed to win any of them, that run did include a loss at last season's runners-up Arsenal and a draw at Burnley, who boasted an incredible defensive record last season on their way to promotion back to the Premier League.

The only real disappointment will have been the Carabao Cup defeat to Swansea - and they will be at a loss as to how they didn't get anything from this game.

In the second half, they created chance after chance, but either found goalkeeper Robin Roefs in inspired form or could not get their shots on target.

Five games without a victory is undoubtedly a poor start to any head coach's career, but there have been some signs of encouragement that the results will start to come.

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou spoke to BBC Match of the Day after defeat in his first Premier League home game in charge of the Reds: "It was one of those evenings where we should've got the outcome we wanted. We had enough chances to certainly win the game.

"We conceded a really poor goal, albeit from a poor decision from the official, but after that we had enough chances to win the game. We are in a cycle at the moment where we are getting every outcome out of the game except the win - and that is the most important thing."

On Chris Wood's missed chances: "There are others as well. We need to take those chances because ultimately you pay a price in games that you should be winning comfortably."

On why they are struggling to score: "It's hard to say, but we don't really have the luxury of time to analyse that. We have the foundation to win games of football but we aren't and we need to change that.

"The fans have got every right to be disappointed. They want to see their team win. I understand their disappointment, it's certainly shared by us in the dressing room and by me. My job is to rectify that."

Defender Neco Williams also spoke to Sky Sports after the match: "It's a tough one to take. It was a game where we just didn't finish off our chances. We created many chances but just couldn't put it to bed.

"We should have defended the free-kick better but, at the same time, I've never seen a referee give one of those free-kicks before in all my time of playing football. There was contact, so he got it wrong, and for the goal I was held back. He had two arms around my waist and that played a key factor in their goal. It is two poor decisions, especially by the referee and then the people on VAR.

"We kept going until the end. They didn't create many chances, we created many but the end product just wasn't there. We couldn't put our finishes to bed so it was just one of those games.

"We are working hard in training. We are still learning the style of the manager and, as soon as it clicks, we'll be good to go. We will get there but it's just about getting that first win."

Did you know?

• Since the start of 2023-24, sides managed by Ange Postecoglou have conceded more Premier League goals from set pieces (34) than any other manager (Gary O'Neil closest on 26).

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 Forest's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Ange Postecoglou makes five changes for his first home game as Nottingham Forest manager.

James McAtee makes his first Premier League start for the club, while Nicolas Dominguez starts for the first time this season.

Chris Wood returns in attack, while Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye also come into the first XI.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko, Dominguez, Anderson, McAtee, Bakwa, Ndoye, Wood

Substitutes: John, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Kalimuendo, Igor Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, Jair Cunha

There is just one change for Sunderland as Arthur Masuaku makes his first Premier League start, coming in for the suspended Reinildo.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Masuaku, Xhaka, Sadiki, Rigg, Le Fee, Adingra, Isidor

Substitutes: Patterson, Neil, Ballard, Geertruida, Brobbey, Mayenda, O'Nien, Adingra, Traore

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

• Brentford v Manchester United (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Bournemouth

• Manchester City v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 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 Crystal Palace v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Sunderland", for instance.

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

A lot has been made of how new Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou is still waiting for his first win, and he has got another tough game on his hands here.

I was so impressed by Sunderland's display with 10 men in last weekend's draw with Aston Villa. They were superbly organised.

The Black Cats are without injured midfielder Habib Diarra but they will still be difficult to break down and will fancy their chances of extending their four-game unbeaten run.

Based on form, they should probably get something from this but I am going against the grain here, and I am going to say Big Ange will get over the line and get the result he wants.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Ange Postecoglou is ready to take his relationship with Nottingham Forest fans to the next level.

The head coach heads into his first home game in charge against Sunderland on Saturday.

Four winless away games, including draws at Burnley and Real Betis, have opened his reign at Forest, despite progress in the way he wants them to play.

Forest now have four home games in their next five outings - including Thursday's Europa League visit of Midtjylland - with Postcoglou aiming to strengthen his bond with supporters.

"It's like the beginning of any relationship - you get to know one another," he said.

"Sometimes it's love at first sight. The sense is this isn't one of those cases - but that's OK. It doesn't mean you can't have a long relationship.

"I've always felt I prefer these things to grow because I think sometimes it's also a little bit false if there's too much of this 'love the manager from day one'.

"You need to earn the love, support and trust of your supporters. That's my role and what hopefully I'll do over the coming period.

"With the fans, I've always had the same wherever I've been.

"It's about me earning the respect and the trust. The only way I can do that is with my work.

"I don't think there are any supporters out there that don't want their team to do well. I'm sure all the supporters coming want us to win and they want to get behind the team - and, in turn, get behind me, but I don't take that for granted."

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Ange Postecoglou takes charge of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground for the first time on Saturday, with promoted Sunderland the visitors. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into the game.

Postecoglou is the first permanent Nottingham Forest manager to be winless after four games in charge since Stan Hardy in 1930. Nonetheless, he has been encouraged by the team's adoption of his front-foot philosophy in back-to-back draws away to Burnley and Real Betis.

The Australian saw moments of "beauty" from his side during their first European game for 29 years on Wednesday, when a late Betis equaliser denied them victory. It was the third match in a row in which Forest have been unable to hold on to a lead.

"We need to now convert our good play into victories, but I think that'll come if we keep playing like that," Postecoglou enthused afterwards. "I just thought some of the football we played was outstanding and this group of players have been really receptive to what we're trying to do."

The table below shows how Postecoglou's appointment has accelerated Nottingham Forest's change from a side who sat deep and used long balls to launch attacks. In their past two matches, they have gone against the growing trend for a direct approach, instead creating chances through slick passing moves.

Postecoglou is winless in nine Premier League games, including his time at Tottenham. It is the worst top-flight run of his managerial career but Saturday represents the 60-year-old's first home match with Forest.

Positive omens for Black Cats

Opponents Sunderland have bucked a trend so far this season by making a strong start. Their tally of eight points after five games is the equal-highest by a promoted side across the past seven seasons.

In Premier League history, 15 promoted sides have reached eight points or more after five matches - and they all avoided relegation.

Sunderland were winless heading into October in each of their previous four top-flight campaigns. They already have two victories this time around and have demonstrated the "well organised and pragmatic" identity that head coach Regis le Bris referenced during pre-season.

History suggests the Black Cats will stay up but they head into back-to-back away fixtures seeking a first win - and goal - on the road. A slow start on their travels characterised Sunderland's previous seven Premier League campaigns, during which it took them seven attempts on average to earn a first away victory.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Nottingham Forest v Sunderland at 17:30 BST on Saturday

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou believes his first victory as Nottingham Forest boss is only important for their development - not his own image.

They host Sunderland at the City Ground in the Premier League on Saturday - Postecoglou's first home game in charge.

Forest drew 2-2 at Real Betis in their Europa League opener on Wednesday, their first European game for 29 years, to extend his winless start to four games.

the Australian dismissed any additional pressure and wants victory to ensure Forest do not miss out on opportunities later in the season.

He said: "It's important, not necessarily for me but what we're trying to embark on. There's two ways to win faith - to win games, that's the instant one, but if you are not doing that there needs to be something that looks like it's encouraging.

"I get that people are putting it that I need to win my first game for whatever reason, but we need to win to make sure we're in a great position when everything clicks to make an impact.

"Since the Arsenal game - at Swansea, Burnley and on Wednesday night - some of the football we played was really compelling because it's what we're working on.

"The players - Igor [Jesus], Elliot [Anderson] - are growing all the time. The centre-backs are showing personality, the full-backs are adjusting."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Douglas Luiz is out of Nottingham Forest's game with Sunderland with a hamstring injury.

The midfielder has gone for a scan on the hamstring injury he suffered in the 2-2 Europa League draw at Real Betis on Wednesday.

Boss Ange Postecoglou is confident it is not serious but they need to look after the on loan Juventus midfielder's fitness and he will miss Saturday's visit of the Black Cats.

"Douglas Luiz wasn't great yesterday so we have sent him for a scan on his hamstring. He won't be available this weekend," he said.

"With him, I think we have got to be really careful with how we use him in the early part of the year. He had a lot of issues last year at Juventus and came in late here.

"We'll just be cautious with him. We'll see what the scan says but he definitely won't be available this week.

"It's nothing serious, we know that; it's nothing significant. But with the international window around the corner, there might be an opportunity for us to really build him up because he's such a good player and we saw that the other night."

Murillo remains out having missed the last three games with a thigh problem he suffered against Arsenal.

Postecoglou added: "Murillo is still not where we want him to be. He's still not totally comfortable.

"He is still doing individual training. We were hoping he would progress a bit quicker, but it was a pretty severe knock on his thigh.

"My understanding is the healing process has just been slower than what we thought and he doesn't feel comfortable. We've just got to be patient with him.

"He is out on the grass and working individually. It is just a matter of incorporating him back into the team."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference

• Murillo remains sidelined, with Postecoglou adding that "the healing process is slower than we thought". The centre-back is on the grass doing individual training so "now it's just about incorporating him back into the team".

• Midfielder Douglas Luiz has been sent for a scan on his hamstring but "it's nothing serious or significant". Postecoglou added: "With the international break just round the corner, there might be an opportunity for us to really build him up to where we need him to be."

• Postecoglou confirmed there are otherwise no new injury concerns among the players and the "majority of them have bounced back pretty well" from Wednesday's Europa League game.

• On how the squad can move on from that game now: "Mentally. It is the challenge now to be able to park whatever emotions we have and take our focus into this game [against Sunderland]."

• Postecoglou said he is "certainly looking forward" to playing at home for the first time and anticipates there being "a really good buzz" among the fans.

• He said "the players will enjoy it" too after four consecutive away games, adding: "When they walk out and they hear the noise that will be supportive of them, I think it will help the performance."

• On what he makes of their performances so far: "We are definitely making progress. Our football is gradually getting to the place that we want. The results haven't been what we wanted, but that's not because of lack of performance, and that's an important thing for me."

• He said striker Igor Jesus "has done incredibly well" and "made an impact" in the short time he has been at the club.

Hear more from Postecoglou on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to commentary of Nottingham Forest v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at 17:30 on Saturday