Nottingham Forest’s struggles under new manager Ange Postecoglou deepened on Thursday night as they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League, leaving the club winless since his appointment.
The City Ground witnessed a tense and restless atmosphere as Forest fell behind to two set-piece goals before mounting a brief fightback, only to be undone late on. Despite flashes of attacking intent, their defensive frailties once again proved costly.
The result means Postecoglou has now failed to win any of his first six matches in charge, making him the first permanent Forest boss in a century to endure such a start. The frustration of supporters spilled over in the stands, with chants of “sacked in the morning” ringing out as the game slipped away.
Postecoglou, who was appointed in September with a mandate to bring an expansive, attacking style to Forest, acknowledged the fans’ discontent after the match. “Supporters are entitled to their opinions. I understand their frustration — results haven’t been what anyone wanted. But I still believe we’re building something and the players are committed to turning it around,” he said.
The defeat adds to the pressure on the Australian coach, who had previously enjoyed success at Celtic and Tottenham but has yet to find the formula at Forest. Defensive lapses, particularly from set pieces, have been a recurring problem, while their inability to convert periods of control into wins has left them stranded at the bottom of their group.
Forest now face a critical run of fixtures domestically and in Europe as Postecoglou attempts to halt the slide. While his philosophy has been welcomed in principle, patience is wearing thin among fans who fear the club’s season could unravel before it has truly begun.