Six Games, No Wins: Pressure Mounts on Nottingham Boss
Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest era has started with more storm clouds than sunshine. After only 23 days in charge, the Australian coach is already under intense scrutiny, and the atmosphere at the City Ground on Thursday night showed just how restless supporters have become.
Fans turn on their manager
Forest’s 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland was more than just a setback on the pitch. By the time the Danish side broke away to score their third goal late on, frustration had spilled over into chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” The songs soon turned nostalgic, with some fans even calling for former boss Nuno Espírito Santo, while owner Evangelos Marinakis looked on from the directors’ box.
Early mistakes prove costly
Midtjylland’s threat came from set pieces – and Forest never found an answer. Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech Sørensen both struck in the first half, leaving the hosts chasing the game. Murillo’s injury before the half-hour only added to Forest’s troubles, with nerves spreading each time the Danes got near goal.
Although Chris Wood converted a stoppage-time penalty after Elliot Anderson was fouled, it was too little, too late. Midtjylland’s Valdemar Byskov Andreasen had already put the game beyond doubt after pouncing on a mistake from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Manager under fire, but still defiant
Postecoglou has now gone six matches without a win – the worst start for a Forest manager in 100 years. Yet he refused to panic when asked if he still believed results would turn.
“Yes, I do,” he said. “Nothing I saw tonight changes that. I get that the mood isn’t great, I understand the frustration, but I believe we’re on the right path. If we start winning, the atmosphere will improve.”
The coach admitted his players looked anxious defensively: “It’s not like our goalkeeper is making dozens of saves, but every time the opposition gets close, we look nervous. If you give away goals that easily, it’s very hard to win.”
A night meant for celebration ends in disappointment
The result was especially painful given the occasion. This was Forest’s first European home fixture since 1996, with a sellout crowd, pyrotechnics, and an impressive tifo declaring: “For a new generation our time has come.” Instead, the night turned into a reminder of how fragile the current project looks.
The schedule doesn’t get any kinder – Newcastle, Chelsea, Porto, Bournemouth, and Manchester United are all coming up. Postecoglou insists he’ll ride out the storm, but with fans losing patience, the road ahead looks rocky.
