NO WAY! ABSOLUTELY YES!
Without a doubt the most unpopular down-under figure to arrive in this part of England since a notorious innkeeper from a famous TV drama appeared in a Mansfield panto two decades ago, the Greek-Australian’s time in charge at the club’s home could hardly have begun more poorly. Although the jeers and taunts that TV star the Neighbours star was faced during Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood were generally lighthearted, the hostility of the abuse directed at the Forest manager during the club’s Europa League loss by the Danish side on Thursday was so severe that it is tough to see the coach who has been in charge for a mere handful of fixtures will still be around to endure the Christmas jeers this December. On more than one occasion the 60-year-old’s shouts of “Watch out behind!” went unheeded by his struggling players, particularly when the opposition scored their first two goals from badly organized dead-ball situations. Far from the joyous atmosphere they’d anticipated, Nottingham Forest’s first European home game in nearly three decades ended in rancour with the crowd telling the boss he’d be “dismissed soon”, before praising his favored, newly sacked former boss, the ex-Wolves coach.
“I realize the environment is negative, I grasp the public’s opinion, chiefly directed at me, but I never worry about that, I’ve been here before,” the manager snapped in answer, while aiming the ground near him to the now customary fierce look. “Nothing surprises me in football, it’s the way things are. That appears to be the trend. It’s nothing I can control. Supporters are upset, they have every right to their view. I heard their opinion.” Even if those followers are free to express anger, it could be argued that they might be better advised picking a more appropriate target for their frustration. Ultimately, it was the club owner who fired a firm fan favourite to appoint Postecoglou, who was always going to face a tough task from day one. Watching from the directors’ box as he went through a repertoire of sullen, fierce looks not seen since that period he heard Spurs had triggered Morgan Gibbs-White’s buyout option, the Greek tycoon has thus far mostly avoided any kind of major backlash from the crowd, a sizable group of whom remain sure the he is beyond reproach.
As the clock ticked past noon on Friday, rumours of the coach’s imminent dismissal proved to be overstated and reports suggest his job remains safe until such time as … actually, it’s not. Even though the club boss can make a reasonable case that he has had little or no time on the training pitch to implement the philosophy and tactical nuance that led to Spurs dropping a majority of their Premier League fixtures last season, his club’s upcoming matches remains forbidding and relentless. With the North-East side, the London club, Porto and Bournemouth next up it is difficult to see from where a maiden victory for the manager will come before what could possibly become the ultimate sack-race clash against Manchester United.
FOLLOWING LIVE ONLINE
Follow the sports writer at evening UK time for WSL updates on the stalemate between United and Chelsea.
TOP STATEMENT
“I avoid conflicts and disputes, who singles out individuals, actually, I’ll keep it anonymous. However I feel there was a slight disregard, plus some impoliteness, without anyone offering a greeting” – the Brazilian winger criticizes his club over the frosty environment at their stadium, where warmth has apparently declined like the team’s form.
FAN MAILBAG
Can it be the coach has vowed supporters he never loses a game in his next campaign?” – Pete Negri.
I wouldn’t normally to seek to emphasize the trope that Arsenal supporters are the game’s biggest moaners, but Thabo Caves (the previous day’s mailbag) does make you think. Pointing out that rather than a pair of fixtures per week, the Gunners are having to play 2.33 games a week (oh, a half-hour more!) over a certain trio of weeks (for a roster with two good options for every position to as well) is not the discussion-closer he might think. On the contrary it’s just going to have the tiniest violin ensemble tuning up their instruments once more, while the other fans look on with exasperation” – another reader.
I’m puzzled whether your recent correspondents (on two or three games a week) are intentionally, sarcastically mimicking one of the memorable moments of web discussion (safe for work), or accidentally confirming the famous quote about history repeating first as tragedy, then as farce” – a fan.
For what it’s worth, the previous correspondent (the prior comments), I’ve long felt that way [wishing affluent UK clubs to fail on the continent]. Ever since Forest fell out of European contention, European competition for me has led to a state of seething impotent rage, broken up only sometimes by Steaua Bucharest and, at a push, Zaragoza. I care not one jot for Liverpool’s exploits from the 1980s right up to the Champions League win. I’m indifferent to {‘that
