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Postecoglou Secure - For Now

Starting from the early hours today, the club had no plans to fire Ange Postecoglou but the volatile situation of the club and its owner Evangelos Marinakis indicates circumstances may shift rapidly.

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

The Australian is the owner's choice, the owner having lined him up well ahead of the previous manager was sent packing. Everyone at Forest expected a period of transition but to be winless in six matches and losing at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not anticipated outcomes when he arrived last month.

Postecoglou was intended to change the style but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his predecessor, so there is an understanding that these things take time. Tolerance, however, is not a trait often seen at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so the challenge will intensify for Postecoglou.

Alisson Injured for Liverpool

Arne Slot has been speaking:

“The goalkeeper is absent from the team tomorrow and he won’t travel to his national team for the international duty. Hugo [Ekitike] is returning to training today, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for Frederico [Chiesa]. It hinges on how quickly they heal.

“I will be surprised if he [Alisson] will be there for the initial match after the international break. After that progress may be a bit quicker 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.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start in place of the first choice.

“I believe we’ve observed against the Saints how well he’s adjusted. We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper. When he made his debut that’s a demonstration he’s adapted excellently to our club. It’s expected because he’s a quality player. Now he can perform the role we’ve needed to accomplish so many occasions in the previous seasons replacing the main keeper, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Upcoming Fixtures

• Friday
• Bournemouth v Fulham (8pm)
• Tomorrow
• Whites face Spurs
• Arsenal v West Ham
• United meet Sunderland
• Blues clash with Reds
• Day after
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Bees welcome City

Continental Results

It was a good night for the remaining UK teams in continental competitions. And a disappointing evening for the teams from Scotland.

Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run as their manager gets European tilt to strong beginning.

European tournament roundup: McGinn seals Villa win as Scottish sides suffer defeats.

Fan Reaction at Forest's Stadium

The scenes were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, many local fans chanting: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters twisted the knife, singing the title of his former coach Nuno Espírito Santo, with several directing comments at Evangelos Marinakis observing with his own giant private television in the directors’ box. This made for a dismal spectacle.

Preview of Matches

Unbeaten in the league since their Friday night opener, the Cherries strong start has been halted by consecutive draws: at their stadium to Newcastle and at Leeds last week. Fulham visit the Vitality on tonight, presenting Bournemouth a good opportunity of returning to victory and climbing the table. After a turbulent summer, the manager has sought consistency in his lineup choices.

Trailing 2-1 at Leeds, the Bournemouth manager made a three substitutions to reintroduce three regular players – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his XI and was compensated with a equalizing goal. Bournemouth have also preserved solidity at the back, conceding just once in several matches between the away games to strong opponents. The defender, often featuring in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been crucial to the squad's cohesion. The centre-back received accolades from Iraola for his performances and danger at dead-ball situations – as shown by his aerial pass for the leveling goal at Elland Road.