Forest Are Not Planning to Dismiss Postecoglou; Alisson Out; England Team News
Ange Postecoglou Safe - At Present
Starting from 9am this morning, the club had no plans to fire their manager but the unpredictable nature of the club and its proprietor Evangelos Marinakis means that things can change quickly.
The fans expressed their opinions on the previous day, demanding the departure of the man who took over from an local favorite and it is challenging to reverse the sentiment once that happens.
Postecoglou is the owner's choice, the club chief having lined him up long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. All involved with the club anticipated a period of transition but to be without a victory in six games and suffering defeats at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not anticipated outcomes when he joined recently.
Postecoglou was always going to alter the approach but he has his way of playing, which is distinctly unlike to his forerunner, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often observed at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so the challenge will intensify for Postecoglou.
Alisson Out for Liverpool
The Liverpool manager addressed the media:
“Alisson is absent from the team this weekend and he will not go to his national team for the national team matches. The forward is returning to training this afternoon, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for Frederico [Chiesa]. It hinges on how fast the recovery goes.
“I will be surprised if he the keeper returns for the initial match after the international break. From there on things can go a bit quicker or a bit slower. It’s difficult to say. I’m not a doctor so I am unable to confirm if it is the identical issue.”
The backup keeper will play in place of the first choice.
“I believe we’ve observed against Southampton how seamlessly he has fitted in. We knew we were signing a very good goalkeeper. When he made his debut that’s a way of seeing he’s adapted excellently to the team. It’s not a surprise because he’s a skilled goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve needed to accomplish so many occasions in the previous seasons covering for the main keeper, like we’ve done so many times before.”
Weekend Fixtures
- Tonight
- Cherries host Fulham (8pm)
- Tomorrow
- Leeds v Tottenham
- Gunners take on Hammers
- Manchester United v Sunderland
- Chelsea v Liverpool
- Day after
- Villa play Burnley
- Magpies host Forest
- Wolves v Brighton
- Toffees vs Eagles
- Bees welcome City
Continental Results
The evening went well for the other English clubs in Europe. And a bad night for the Scottish clubs.
Crystal Palace prolonged their winning streak as Muñoz gets European tilt to strong beginning.
Europa League roundup: McGinn seals Villa win as Rangers and Celtic suffer defeats.
Supporters' Response at Forest's Stadium
Events were nearly unprecedented on a sobering evening, thousands of home supporters singing: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the same fans added insult to injury, singing the name of his former coach the ex-manager, with several turning towards Evangelos Marinakis watching on with his own large personal screen in the directors’ box. This made for grim viewing.
Weekend Lookahead
Unbeaten in the league since their Friday night opener, the Cherries early momentum has been stalled by back-to-back ties: at their stadium to Newcastle and at Leeds last week. Fulham visit the stadium on tonight, presenting Bournemouth a good opportunity of returning to victory and going second. After a turbulent summer, Iraola has sought consistency in his lineup choices.
Behind 2-1 at their opponents, the Bournemouth manager made a three substitutions to reintroduce three regular players – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his XI and was rewarded with a equalizing goal. Bournemouth have also maintained defensive stability, allowing only one goal in several matches between the away games to Liverpool and Leeds. Marcos Senesi, often featuring in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been crucial to the team’s continuity. The centre-back received accolades from the boss for his performances and threat at dead-ball situations – as evidenced by his aerial pass for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at the venue.