Ange Postecoglou enters director discussions intent on retaining position at City Ground club

The Australian manager is set to persuade the club's directors to keep confidence in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Defiant Forest boss detects positive indicators amid winless run

The former Tottenham manager was in unbowed, nearly humorous form after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It prolonged his run without a win to seven matches since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who surprisingly started with a five-man defense, identified indications of improvement as he prepares for crucial discussions with City Ground directors.

"Indeed, it’s a lost cause," he said, sarcastically. "I see it as an thrilling chance. You have to be ready for the battle and the struggle. It would be foolish to be in this position at the age of 60 if I lacked self-belief or fight. Even in the schoolyard I chose battles with people that defeated me."

Top flight theater gently mocked

Warming to his theme, the Forest manager gently mocked the pantomime of Premier League football that typically requires that at least one manager is always considered 'in trouble'. "I understand that this is part of the fanfare of the Premier League that it needs one manager to be in the spotlight. Should individuals wish to assess me three and a half weeks into the job, there's no words or actions that will alter that perception."

"However my observations and experienced in this timeframe is that we are heading in the direction I desire us to. Positive outcomes will come. In the meantime it is a struggle and a contest and there is no issue with that. We don't have things handed to us on a plate in existence, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why does everyone want everything neatly packaged? Modern mentality today appears that, as soon as something fails, you replace it."

Embracing the test at Nottingham Forest

Amid much hilarity, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause at some point but your family didn't give up on you."

Postecoglou then reiterated that he had walked into the Nottingham Forest with his eyes wide open and always recognized that his effort to alter the team's approach would not be easy. "I knew this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why people think difficulties are a burden, I love a test. The other option is sitting at home viewing matches and I don't want to do that. Should journalists have great enjoyment around it I don't care. It doesn't bother me."