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Ange Postecoglou Safe - For Now

Starting from 9am this morning, the club were not intending to sack Ange Postecoglou but the unpredictable nature of the team and its proprietor the chairman indicates circumstances may shift rapidly.

Supporters made their voices known on Thursday, demanding the departure of the coach who replaced an East Midlands hero and it is difficult to turn the tide once that occurs.

Postecoglou is Marinakis’ man, the club chief having lined him up long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. Everyone at Forest anticipated a period of transition but to be without a victory in six games and losing at home to opposing teams were not anticipated outcomes when he arrived last month.

The Australian was intended to alter the approach but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his predecessor, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Tolerance, however, is not a quality often seen at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against tough opponents, so the challenge will intensify for Postecoglou.

Alisson Injured for The Reds

Arne Slot addressed the media:

“The goalkeeper is not part of the squad tomorrow and he will not go to his national team for the international duty. Hugo [Ekitike] is going to train again this afternoon, 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 first game after the national team pause. After that progress may be a bit quicker or a bit slower. It’s hard to predict. I’m not medically trained so I am unable to confirm if it is the identical issue.”

The backup keeper is set to start in place of Alisson.

“I think we’ve seen against the Saints how well he’s adjusted. We were aware we were signing a very good shot-stopper. When he plays his first game that’s a demonstration he’s adapted excellently to our club. It’s not a surprise because he’s a skilled player. Now he can perform the role we’ve needed to accomplish so many occasions in the previous seasons covering for Alisson, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Upcoming Matches

• Tonight
• Cherries host Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Saturday
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Arsenal v West Ham
• Manchester United v Sunderland
• Blues clash with Reds
• Day after
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Bees welcome City

European Action

It was a good night for the other English clubs in Europe. And a bad night for the teams from Scotland.

Crystal Palace prolonged their winning streak as their manager kicks off European tilt to strong beginning.

European tournament roundup: McGinn seals Villa win as Rangers and Celtic suffer defeats.

Fan Reaction at City Ground

Events were nearly unprecedented on a sobering evening, many local fans singing: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters twisted the knife, voicing the name of his former coach the ex-manager, with a number turning towards the owner observing with his own giant private television in the executive area. This made for a dismal spectacle.

Preview of Matches

Without a loss in the Premier League since their initial match, Bournemouth strong start has been stalled by consecutive draws: at home to Newcastle and at Elland Road recently. Fulham visit the stadium on tonight, presenting Bournemouth a presentable chance of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a hectic off-season, Iraola has sought stability in his team selection.

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 starting eleven and was rewarded with a late leveller. Bournemouth have also preserved defensive stability, allowing only one goal in four games between the away games to Liverpool and Leeds. Marcos Senesi, often playing in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been crucial to the team’s continuity. The centre-back earned praise from the boss for his performances and threat at attacking set-pieces – as shown by his headed assist for the leveling goal at Elland Road.