External expectations Doesn't Enter My Head, Says Bullish Postecoglou

Forest manager Ange Postecoglou maintains that external scrutiny regarding his role will not influence his approach.

The club is without a victory in his first six matches since the Australian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.

A section of Forest fans shouted, "you're getting sacked in the morning", at the ex- Tottenham and Celtic manager following the recent 3-2 Europa League loss at their ground to the Danish side.

Postecoglou's Reaction to Criticism

Postecoglou, however, stated that the European title he secured at Tottenham last season, before being sacked in the summer, was proof he does not let external factors to impact his management.

"I don't think about it," he continued. "My responsibility involves ensuring this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things," said Postecoglou.

"Should I begin setting deadlines to that or stress over what is going to happen next week then I am not fulfilling the role I have been assigned.

"I believe it is beneficial to anyone. Ultimately, I have to focus on the atmosphere, the training, the style of play, and as I mentioned recently, I am remain very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.

"To explain - I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham approximately three or four months before I did, but that didn't prevent me from securing a trophy."

Career History

The 60-year-old joined Spurs from Celtic in the previous year and fans at first embraced the Australian for his attacking playing style, with the London club ending up fifth in the English top flight during his debut campaign.

Postecoglou's second term was challenging as Spurs ended 17th in the standings. He did, however, guide the team to their initial silverware in nearly two decades as they beat Manchester United in the European final.

Present Circumstances

Forest visit Newcastle United on Sunday (14:00 BST).

Amid the poor run of results, there is little doubt it has been a challenging beginning for Postecoglou.

And the statistics illustrate just how disappointing Forest have been since his arrival.

Performance Analysis

• In Postecoglou's six matches, they have been beaten four times across multiple competitions
• No top-flight team has been defeated in as many matches as Forest since his appointment
• They have conceded thirteen scores - at a average of over two per game
• Only Manchester United and Burnley have a poorer defensive per game record than Forest since Postecoglou's arrival
• Unexpectedly, it is the 35th instance in which a Premier League manager has not secured a victory in any of first six fixtures in all competitions

Historical Perspective

Paul Jewell holds the unenviable mark, having not won any of his initial twenty-seven matches as Derby County manager in the 2007-2008 season.

Nuno was dismissed after only three matches of this campaign when Forest were tenth in the table. They are now seventeenth, having drawn one and lost two of their three league matches under Postecoglou.

He is the initial full-time Forest manager in a century not to win any of first six matches.

Fan Perspective

This campaign could have been one of Nottingham Forest's finest in recent times. Entry into Europe for the initial occasion in three decades, the strongest team this millennium and all involved pulling in the common goal.

Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone out of the window. Nuno has departed, displays have been abject and on the recent evening the City Ground turned on the new manager Ange Postecoglou after just six games.

However it's very much classic Forest, a club that veers from achievement to internal crisis like a novice motorist who fails to remain in a lane.

Future Challenges

Amid fixtures against the Magpies, the Blues, Porto, Bournemouth and the Red Devils coming up, it's quite difficult to say whether he can reverse the situation before it becomes increasingly toxic.

But question any supporter and they'll tell you the identical thing, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.