Nottingham Forest

Gareth Roberts
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

After defeat at Emirates Stadium, Ange Postecoglou promised this would be the game where the first signs of his influence on the team he inherited from Nuno Espirito Santo would be visible.

He did not have time to waste, he said.

And at the very least, the Australian will have gained a greater idea of what he has at his disposal after handing first starts to talent that cost the club the best part of £120m over the summer.

He would have had every right to have been impressed with Jesus, the striker nicknamed the 'Little Frog', who jumped at the opportunity to open his account in the south Wales rain.

More importantly for Forest, Jesus' second was an example of the kind of football associated with Postecoglou's teams as a sweeping move cut the hosts open and made it easy for the striker to finish.

There were signs too of Juventus loanee Douglas Luiz's class and what the likes of Hutchinson and McAtee could provide.

But there were also signs – as if the result did not make it obvious - that the former Spurs boss has plenty of work to do.

It was Swansea who looked to have the kind of tempo 'Angeball' is meant to have, pressing hard from the front with intensity.

And although Forest could point to spurned chances from a number of players, it would be tough to say that Swansea did not earn the win.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports after the Reds were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Swansea City.

"I just thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did,

"I got the sense we were getting a bit comfortable and thought the game would finish off easily but that's not what happens, particularly in cup football. I thought we scored a good third goal.

"I think the lads got a bit comfortable in that moment and you've got to know the warning signs.

"We had to finish them off and we had plenty of opportunities to do that, and a couple of decisions didn't go our way.

"Players just thought it would naturally finish that way and we've paid a heavy price for that. We need to improve.

"They had two shots from outside the box in the first half and didn't really test us until right at the end.

"There were a lot of players out there who needed some football, but even within that context we were well in control of that game and should have seen it out.

"I was just frustrated that we didn't realise the danger that could have developed by not being more clinical and killing off the opponent when we should have."

• Nottingham Forest ended the contest with an xG (expected goals) of 2.83. For Swansea, it was just 0.72.

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Swansea XI: Fisher, Key, Yalcouye, Eom, Burgess, Samuels-Smith, Franco, Benson, Casey, Galbraith, Idah

Subs: Farman, Cabango, Widell, Vipotnik, Tymon, Cullen, Wales, Inoussa, Ronald

Forest XI: John, Morato, Luiz, Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Bakwa, Boly, Zinchenko, Savona.

Subs: Gunn, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Kalimuendo, Jair Cunha, Abbott

Image source, Getty Images

Ola Aina has had successful surgery on a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with Nigeria, Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has said.

The full-back is set for an extended spell out of action, which Postecoglou described as "a massive blow for him and for me".

The former Spurs boss told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I was looking forward to working with him. I watched him as an opponent last year and, particularly with the way I like my full-backs to play, he was a perfect fit for it.

"I know he was excited by the season ahead, back in European football. Sometimes when these things happen early in the year, I said to him that the best part of the season will be there for him so he can make a massive impact when it is most needed.

"His surgery went really well - that's the first thing ticked. Now he's got to work hard and rehab, which I'm sure he will, and he'll stay close to the group."

Listen to Postecoglou's full interview with BBC Radio Nottingham on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest thought about a move for Sergio Reguilon over the summer, with the 28-year-old Spain full-back a free agent after leaving Tottenham. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

New Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has targeted EFL Cup glory.

The League Cup was the last major honour the club won in 1990 and they go to Swansea City in the third round on Wednesday.

Postecoglou and owner Evangelos Marinakis have been clear he is at the club to win silverware and that quest for Forest starts at the Liberty Stadium.

"I think so, yes [it is a chance to win a trophy]. I got to the semi-finals last year [with Tottenham, losing 4-1 on aggregate to Liverpool]," he said.

"Every opportunity you have to win a trophy, you shouldn't let it go. It's hard to win things, especially when you're at a club that has had success in the past and the supporters want more of it.

"We'll give ourselves every opportunity to have a win.

"In the context of the club's ambitions, where we are in terms of the season with me coming in, it's a great opportunity for us to implement some things we want to. It's an important game."

Postecoglou will be without Murillo after he came off against Arsenal, Nicolo Savona replacing him at the weekend, and the new boss is likely to make sweeping changes.

Summer signings James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arnaud Kalimuendo could be given starts in south Wales.

"They haven't had a chance to get out there, some haven't played at all yet," said Postecoglou.

"Tomorrow is the perfect opportunity to get them out there, get them playing and get them feeling what it's like to play for the club and get some match fitness into them.

"We are going to need all the players and the last thing we want is to have players who haven't played for over a month."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Championship side Swansea City (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Postecoglou said defender Murillo is "progressing well" after suffering "a significant knock" in the defeat at Arsenal but he will not feature at Swansea: "Every day he has improved and he wants to be ready for Saturday [against Burnley]. We're hopeful he will be available."

• On how important the game is: "They are all important in the context of the club's ambition and where we are in terms of the season and with me coming in, a great opportunity to implement some of the things we want to."

• Postecoglou said it has not been "difficult" to get his ideas across and that it is "just a matter of time", adding: "We have had two really good training sessions with the whole group. The past two days have been good in terms of getting the players understanding the routines we will have going into games. It feels a lot more calm and controlled."

• On his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis: "I haven't seen him but he's been good, he has reached out. He knows the challenge that is before us but he is very ambitious. He supported both the previous managers very, very well and that's all you can ask for as a manager. I know I will be [supported] and that's all you can ask for as a manager."

• On the Carabao Cup being a trophy he wants to win: "I got to the semi-finals last year and I think every opportunity you have to win a trophy, you shouldn't let go. It is hard to win things in football. This cup gives us every opportunity to win some silverware."

• Postecoglou says his first seven days at the club have been "great" and he has a "really good feeling". He added that he has "settled in really quickly" and he feels "very comfortable in the place".

• On seeing new players against Swansea: "The club invested heavily in the summer, a lot of new players and they haven't really had a chance to get out there. Some of them haven't played at all and Wednesday is a perfect opportunity to get them out there and give them a feel of what it is like to play for the club while getting some match fitness into them."

Hear more from Postecoglou on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Tuesday's football news

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"I cannot afford to waste time - this is not a project," said Ange Postecoglou after Saturday's defeat at Arsenal.

The former Tottenham boss was brought to the City Ground to win trophies and that starts with Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round trip to Championship side Swansea City.

The 3-0 loss at the Emirates comes with the context of a disrupted week, with Postecoglou having just two days with the full squad following his appointment and the international break.

But the Australian has promised his style will not take long to implement and he expects to see it at the Liberty Stadium.

The competition - the last major trophy the club lifted in 1990 - is one Forest could and should legitimately target.

The strides made in the past 18 months cannot be wasted by regressing and the heavy summer investment was done to ensure Forest will now challenge for silverware.

Postecoglou will speak to the media again on Tuesday and he is under no illusions why he was appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo's successor.

He joked at his unveiling he may have to win a trophy in his first season to keep his job. While that was tongue-in-cheek, Forest and their expensively assembled squad have a real chance this season and cannot afford to waste it.

Come back to this page later on Tuesday for all the key lines from Postecoglou's news conference

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

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Mike: Very confident display and showed the great benefit of Arsenal's active transfer period. The new boys all acquitted themselves extremely well. Keep up this excellent start and we will have a real chance of total success.

Vince: What a complete victory and to think the new boys haven't had much time to bed in. If all goes well, the second half of the season should prove to be great watching for us Gooners!

Ryan: Last year, losing Saka, Havertz, Saliba and Odegaard (plus no Rice) would have probably led to a shaky win or, more likely, dropped points. The strength in the squad now means that four definite starters are not missed. Get through this tough first three months of the season close to the top and Arsenal will be in good shape.

Barry: With the players we now have, barring too many injuries, this could be our time to win the league.

Phoenix: A good way to forget the loss at Anfield - good ball play from the guys. Just happy for Viktor Gyokeres and Zubimendi is a colossus of a player - small in nature, big in performance. Trophy is the currency that the team needs going forward.

Forest fans

Andre: I was expecting a larger defeat, to be honest. We need to bring in the new signings. Never been a fan of our new coach. Seems he is doing the same job when he was at Tottenham - taking us down the league!

Stephen: Forest haven't won at the Emirates for a while. No Ange effect either. Needs to start winning big time with all the new recruitments.

Mossy: Losing players this early in the season does not bode well, with games coming up quick and fast. Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi are shadows of the influential players of last season.

Steve: This is a disaster appointment by an owner who had a mardy and dumped our best manager for years!

Russell: Let's have some patience - Arsenal are a top side.

Manchester United are interested in Nottingham Forest's £70m-rated Elliot Anderson, but the midfielder is happy at the City Ground and has no plans to leave. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest has to be assessed in a measured fashion given he is one week into the job and facing an Arsenal side almost six years into their project.

The Australian had limited time to put his stamp on this Forest side but a few differences were evident pointing to the direction Postecoglou might look to take his new team.

The most obvious was starting with a back four. It appears the 4-4-1-1 that Postecoglou has deployed across his career is to be maintained.

Stylistically, Forest aimed to build in a slower fashion - looking to establish territory higher up the pitch, rather than playing the more direct, counter-attacking style that was successful last season. Data from Opta showed that their 'direct speed' - how quickly they move the ball from defence to attack - was their joint-lowest for a game in the league since the start of last season.

Out of possession, they set up in what looked like a 4-2-3-1 shape and defended in a man-marking fashion. We will have to see more from Postecoglou to know if this man-to-man approach defensively is something they persist with or if this was specific to Arsenal given their quality and rotation-heavy style.

Nuno Espirito Santo by comparison, tended to set Forest up in a zonal fashion (meaning each player defended specific zones, rather than following individual players) but did use a man-to-man defence at times against the league's top teams.

Forest's defensive line was set higher up the pitch than under Nuno, but they were punished for this with Viktor Gyokeres' strike. Arsenal exploited a long pass over the top of the defence for Eberechi Eze to run on to as Forest failed to apply pressure on the passer.

Naturally, Forest's collective understanding of when to push up and apply pressure will improve with time.

Lastly, the biggest difference between Postecoglou's tactics on Saturday with how he has set up his teams at previous clubs was the use of full-backs. In build-up, Forest played in a fairly standard 4-3-3 shape with full-backs starting in wide positions rather than inverting into midfield as has been the norm in his sides. Was this a short-term tactic given the lack of preparation time?

It is difficult to make any definitive conclusions based on a single game in Postecoglou's first week in charge; however there were numerous new ideas at play against Arsenal that may become more evident in upcoming weeks.

Pundits Ashley Williams and Shay Given join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

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Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou was only named Nottingham Forest boss late on Tuesday, so the time on the training pitch will have been limited with his new squad.

Forest also have a number of players away on international duty, which would have lessened the tactical work that Postecoglou was able to do.

Even so, there were some noticeable changes to the side in the defeat to Arsenal. Under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the Reds became known for their organised defence and ability to counter-attack.

In the early part of the match, Forest did attempt to pressure the Gunners higher up the pitch but were forced back by the excellent Arsenal side.

Supporters will not have been too hopeful heading to north London with Forest winning only two of their past 16 matches against Arsenal, and both of those came at home.

Postecoglou again will not have much time to implement the expansive style he is known for, with a Carabao Cup game against Swansea City on Wednesday.

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat to Arsenal: "Disappointed with the outcome. It's not nice losing any game. They're a very good side and pretty formidable at home. But even in that context, it's disappointing.

"The players gave everything they could, they had the right endeavour but the second goal pushed it away from us.

"It's been a really disruptive week for the players, I've tried to keep things really simple this week, we've only had one training session together but hopefully now we can start bedding in some of the principles we need to."

On only making one change from last game under Nuno Espirito Santo: "I just didn't think it was the time to disrupt them even further. They at least had the core of the team together so there is some cohesion there and some understanding rather than just throwing guys even.

"But I thought the guys who came on showed a little bit of brightness and promise, which is great for us. We've got plenty of games coming and they'll all get an opportunity.

"You only have to look at how we performed last year, they're very disappointed obviously but I've got to understand that they're human beings and a week ago their world was very different to what it is now."

On the squad: "I'm really happy with the squad. A lot of players haven't had an opportunity yet or were signed late in the window but that will be rectified over the next few weeks and once we've had some game time, I'm more than happy with this squad.

"Elliot Anderson is an outstanding footballer, watching him at close quarters today was brilliant. There are others, I was really impressed with Dan Ndoye today. Neco Williams was outstanding today.

"There is a strong mindset within the senior core of the group. I'm still as excited as the day I signed, I knew today would be tough but you have to take your medicine and move on."

On looking refreshed: "Whenever a manager looks tanned and well rested, it means he is out of a job so I'd rather not be looking so well and pale."

Speaking to TNT Sports about the job ahead of him, he added: "It hasn't been an ideal prep for the players and you have to take that into account. All you can ask for is effort and unfortunately, against a very good opponent, today was a bridge too far.

"This is a group of players who showed last year how hard they fight for each other. Disappointment today but there's only one way to respond.

"They're all big jobs. I haven't taken over an easy one yet but that's why I'm here. I love the challenge and we'll get to where we want to."

On Murillo's injury: "Looks like just a knock, so hopefully with some rest he'll be OK."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest are winless in their past three Premier League games (D1 L2), last enduring a longer winless run in the competition in April 2024 (run of four). Meanwhile, they have failed to score in successive Premier League matches for the first time since that April 2024 streak.

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

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

It's a full debut for Eberechi Eze but there is no place for Declan Rice in Arsenal's starting line-up, with the midfielder settling for a place on the bench.

William Saliba is not in the matchday squad as he's still recovering from injury.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, White, Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

Douglas Luiz, a summer signing from Juventus, is on the bench for Forest as the Brazilian looks for his first minutes in a Forest shirt.

Nottingham Forest starting XI: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Morato, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Hudson-Odoi, Wood

Subs: Victor, McAtee, Hutchinson, Boly, Luiz, Kalimuendo, Bakwa, Savona, Yates

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

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Sunderland

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• Fulham v Leeds United

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• Brentford v Chelsea (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

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