OH NO HE ISN’T! OH YES HE IS!
Quite possibly the most unpopular down-under figure to show up in Nottinghamshire since a sinister lodging owner from a famous TV drama appeared in a theatrical show in the early 2000s, Forest’s new boss’s tenure at the club’s home could hardly have begun more poorly. While the boos and catcalls that actor Stefan Dennis was faced during a festive pantomime were mostly in fun, the hostility of the abuse aimed at Postecoglou during the team’s European setback by Midtjylland on Thursday was so overwhelming that it is hard to believe the manager who has been in charge for just six matches will still be around to listen to the festive cat-calls this holiday season. Multiple times the 60-year-old’s shouts of “He’s behind you!” went unheeded by his hapless players, not least when the opposition scored their first two goals from atrociously defended dead-ball situations. Nowhere near the joyous atmosphere they’d hoped for, Forest’s first UEFA fixture on home soil in 29 years ended in rancour with home fans telling the boss he’d be “fired by tomorrow”, before chanting for his well-liked, just-removed former boss, the Portuguese tactician.
“I realize the environment is negative, I know how fans feel, especially about me, but that doesn’t concern me, it’s not unfamiliar territory for me,” the coach retorted in reply, while directing the floor around his feet to the usual intense glare. “Nothing surprises me in football, it’s the climate we’re in. It seems that’s the way things are going. It’s nothing I can control. Followers are let down, they have every right to their view. I heard their opinion.” Even if those followers are entitled to vent, it could be suggested that they might be wiser picking a more fitting focus for their frustration. After all, it was the club owner who fired a firm fan favourite to hire Postecoglou, who was always going to begin his reign on a hiding to nothing. Watching from the executive seats as he went through a range of surly, dark scowls last witnessed during that time he heard Spurs had triggered the player’s release clause, the Greek tycoon has thus far mostly avoided any kind of harsh judgement from fans, a sizable group of whom remain sure the he is beyond reproach.
When Friday lunchtime arrived, talk of the coach’s imminent dismissal proved to be overstated and reports suggest his job remains secure until such time as … well, it isn’t. Although the Forest head coach can make a reasonable case that he has had minimal opportunity on the training pitch to instil the philosophy and tactical nuance that caused Tottenham Hotspur failing to win more than half their league matches last term, his club’s upcoming matches remains tough and continuous. Up against Newcastle, Chelsea, the European opponents and the South-Coast team next up it is tough to imagine from where a first Postecoglou win will come before what could surely be the mother of all El Sackicos against the Old Trafford side.
COVERAGE ON MAJOR SITE
Join the journalist at 7.30pm BST for WSL updates on the stalemate between United and Chelsea.
TOP STATEMENT
“I steer clear of heated debates, who points fingers, truthfully, I’ll keep it anonymous. But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, plus some impoliteness, with no one giving you a ‘good morning’, a ‘good afternoon’” – the United player criticizes his club over the unfriendly setting at Old Trafford, where conviviality has seemingly headed south like the side’s performance.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Is it true the coach has vowed Forest fans he guarantees victory in his next campaign?” – a reader.
Far be it for me to want to amplify the trope that Arsenal supporters are the sport’s most complaining followers, but Thabo Caves (the prior edition’s comments) does make you think. Highlighting that rather than a couple of matches weekly, the North London side are having to play more than two fixtures each week (oh, a half-hour more!) over a certain trio of weeks (for a team with strong depth in each place to additionally) is not the debate-ender he might imagine. Rather it’s just going to have the smallest fiddle players tuning up their instruments once more, while the other fans sigh in unison” – another reader.
I’m unsure whether your current contributors (on two or three games a week) are intentionally, sarcastically mimicking one of the high points of web discussion (family-friendly), or inadvertently demonstrating the philosopher’s saying about history repeating first as tragedy, then as farce” – a fan.
If it’s any solace, Bob Cushion (yesterday’s letters), I’ve long felt that way [wishing wealthy English teams to lose in Europe]. Ever since Forest fell out of European contention, continental matches for me has led to a state of frustrated anger, punctuated only occasionally by the Romanian side and, at a push, the Spanish club. I care not one jot for Liverpool’s exploits from the 80s right up to the 2005 final. I’m indifferent to {‘that
