🔗 Share this article

Postecoglou Safe - At Present

Starting from the early hours today, the club were not intending to fire their manager but the unpredictable nature of the club and its proprietor the chairman means that things can change quickly.

Supporters made their voices known on Thursday, calling for the exit of the coach who took over from an East Midlands hero and it is challenging to reverse the sentiment once that happens.

The Australian is Marinakis’ man, the owner having selected him well ahead of Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. All involved with the club expected a time of adjustment but to be winless in six matches and suffering defeats at their own ground to opposing teams were not part of the thoughts when he joined recently.

The Australian was intended to alter the approach but he has his way of playing, which is very different to his forerunner, so there is an acceptance that adjustments require patience. Patience, however, is not a trait often observed at Forest. The upcoming league fixtures are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so things are not going to get easier for Postecoglou.

Alisson Out for Liverpool

Arne Slot has been speaking:

“Alisson is not part of the squad this weekend and he will not go to Brazil for the national team matches. Hugo [Ekitike] is returning to training today, we will assess where he is. The applies similarly for the winger. It depends on how quickly they heal.

“I will be surprised if he [Alisson] returns for the initial match after the international break. After that things can go a bit faster or a bit more gradual. It’s hard to predict. I’m not medically trained so I cannot tell you if it is the same injury.”

The backup keeper is set to start instead of Alisson.

“I believe we’ve observed against the Saints how well he’s adjusted. We were aware we were signing a very good shot-stopper. When he made his debut that’s a demonstration he’s adjusted really well to the team. It’s expected because he’s a quality player. Now he can do what we’ve needed to accomplish so many times in the previous seasons replacing the main keeper, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Weekend Matches

• Friday
• Bournemouth v Fulham (8pm)
• Saturday
• Whites face Spurs
• Arsenal v West Ham
• Manchester United v Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Sunday
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Everton v Crystal Palace
• Brentford v Manchester City

Continental Results

The evening went well for the other English clubs in continental competitions. And a bad night for the teams from Scotland.

The Eagles extended their winning streak as their manager gets continental campaign to flying start.

Europa League summary: Aston Villa star seals victory as Scottish sides lose.

Fan Reaction at Forest's Stadium

The scenes were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, many local fans singing: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the same fans added insult to injury, singing the title of his predecessor the ex-manager, with a number directing comments at the owner observing with his own giant private television in the directors’ box. This resulted in grim viewing.

Preview of Matches

Without a loss in the Premier League since their Friday night opener, the Cherries early momentum has been stalled by consecutive draws: at their stadium to the Magpies and at Elland Road last week. Fulham travel to the Vitality on tonight, offering Andoni Iraola’s side a good opportunity of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a hectic off-season, Iraola has aimed for stability in his lineup choices.

Behind 2-1 at their opponents, the coach made a three substitutions to reintroduce three usual starters – key squad members – to his XI and was rewarded with a late leveller. The team have also maintained defensive stability, conceding just once in four games between the away games to strong opponents. Marcos Senesi, often playing in an otherwise brand-new back five, has been crucial to the squad's cohesion. The centre-back received accolades from Iraola for his performances and danger at attacking set-pieces – as evidenced by his aerial pass for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at the venue.