Ange Postecoglou confident of success at Nottingham Forest after winless run goes on

Ange Postecoglou insists Nottingham Forest are “heading in the direction he wants” despite defeat at Newcastle this afternoon.

Postecoglou has now failed to win any of his first seven games in charge after replacing Nuno Espírito Santo at the helm. Goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade saw Newcastle run out relatively easy winners at St James’ Park despite a decent first-half display from the visitors.

Postecoglou had to contend with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from frustrated Forest fans during Thursday’s Europa League defeat at home to Midtjylland and their latest defeat leaves the Australian in a precarious position with the international break looming.

He told BBC Match of the Day: “I knew it was a big challenge walking in. There is nothing wrong with that. I don’t get why people think it is a burden but I love a challenge. The alternative is sitting at home watching the game and I don’t want to do that.

“We just have to get the results now and we have two weeks to get it right. If people want to assess me three-and-a-half weeks in there is nothing I can say that will change that. What I have seen and felt in this period is that we are heading in the direction I want us to. The results will come.

“In the meantime it is a struggle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. We don’t want things handed on plate we have to fight for it, I have fought for things all my life.”

Postecoglou blames VAR for opening goal

Forest were unhappy that Guimaraes’ opener had been allowed to stand with the Brazilian getting a touch to the ball after a robust challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White.

Postecoglou added: “I guess this is the world we have created where referees won’t make decisions. I think without VAR he [referee Peter Bankes] makes a decision there but with it he lets it run. Something we have to live with.”

Newcastle counterpart Eddie Howe predictably had a different view of the goal, describing it as a “moment of magic”.

He said: “Good performance. Not a lot of goalmouth action in the first half so we had to be patient today. The second half was better. I thought we had control of the second half and we needed a moment to bring us the goal. Bruno’s goal was a moment of magic from an unbelievable player. He makes a difference more often than not.”