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Ange Postecoglou Secure - For Now

As of the early hours today, Nottingham Forest had no plans to sack Ange Postecoglou but the volatile situation of the team and its owner the chairman indicates circumstances may shift rapidly.

Supporters expressed their opinions on the previous day, demanding the exit of the coach who took over from an local favorite and it is difficult to turn the tide once that occurs.

The Australian is Marinakis’ man, the club chief having selected him long before the previous manager was dismissed. Everyone at Forest expected a time of adjustment but to be without a victory in six games and losing at their own ground to opposing teams were not anticipated outcomes when he arrived last month.

The Australian was intended to alter the approach but he has his way of playing, which is very different to his predecessor, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often observed at Forest. The upcoming league fixtures are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so the challenge will intensify for Postecoglou.

Alisson Out for The Reds

The Liverpool manager addressed the media:

“Alisson is absent from the team this weekend and he will not go to Brazil for the national team matches. The forward is going to train again this afternoon, we will assess where he is. The same can be said for the winger. It depends on how fast the recovery goes.

“I will be surprised if he the keeper will be there for the initial match after the national team pause. After that progress may be 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 Alisson.

“I believe we’ve observed against Southampton how well he’s adjusted. We were aware we were signing a high-quality shot-stopper. When he plays his first game that’s a way of seeing he’s adjusted really well to the team. It’s not a surprise because he’s a quality player. Now he can perform the role we’ve needed to accomplish so many times in the previous seasons replacing Alisson, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Upcoming Matches

• Tonight
• Bournemouth v Fulham (8pm)
• Tomorrow
• Whites face Spurs
• Arsenal v West Ham
• United meet Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Day after
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Everton v Crystal Palace
• Bees welcome City

Continental Results

It was a good night for the other English clubs in continental competitions. And a disappointing evening for the Scottish clubs.

The Eagles prolonged their winning streak as Muñoz kicks off continental campaign to strong beginning.

Europa League summary: McGinn seals Villa win as Rangers and Celtic lose.

Supporters' Response at City Ground

The scenes were close to extraordinary on a disheartening night, many local fans singing: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the supporters added insult to injury, singing the title of his former coach Nuno Espírito Santo, with a number directing comments at the owner watching on with his own large personal screen in the executive area. This resulted in a dismal spectacle.

Weekend Lookahead

Unbeaten in the Premier League since their initial match, Bournemouth early momentum has been halted by consecutive draws: at their stadium to the Magpies and at Elland Road last week. Fulham travel to the Vitality on Friday, offering Andoni Iraola’s side a presentable chance of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a hectic off-season, the manager has aimed for consistency in his lineup choices.

Trailing 2-1 at their opponents, the coach made a triple change to reintroduce three usual starters – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his starting eleven and was rewarded with a equalizing goal. Bournemouth have also preserved defensive stability, allowing only one goal in four games between the away games to Liverpool and Leeds. The defender, often playing in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been key to the team’s continuity. The defender earned praise from the boss for his defensive work and threat at attacking set-pieces – as evidenced by his aerial pass for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at Elland Road.