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Postecoglou Secure - For Now

Starting from 9am this morning, the club had no plans to fire Ange Postecoglou but the volatile situation of the club and its owner the chairman indicates things can change quickly.

Supporters expressed their opinions on Thursday, calling for the departure of the coach who replaced an East Midlands hero and it is difficult to reverse the sentiment once that happens.

Postecoglou is Marinakis’ man, the owner having selected him long before the previous manager was sent packing. All involved with the club expected a period of transition but to be without a victory in six games and suffering defeats at their own ground to opposing teams were not anticipated outcomes when he arrived last month.

The Australian was always going to change the style but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his predecessor, so there is an understanding that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a quality often observed at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so things are not going to get easier for the manager.

Liverpool's Keeper Injured for The Reds

The Liverpool manager has been speaking:

“The goalkeeper is not part of the squad tomorrow and he won’t travel to his national team for the national team matches. Hugo [Ekitike] is returning to training this afternoon, we will assess where he is. The applies similarly for Frederico [Chiesa]. It depends on how quickly they heal.

“I would not expect if he [Alisson] returns 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 a doctor so I am unable to confirm if it is the same injury.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start in place of the first choice.

“I believe we’ve observed against Southampton how well he’s adjusted. We were aware we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper. When he plays his first game that’s a way of seeing he’s adjusted really well to the team. It’s expected because he’s a quality player. Now he can perform the role we’ve had to do so many times in the previous seasons replacing the main keeper, like we’ve handled previously.”

Weekend Matches

• Tonight
• Cherries host Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Tomorrow
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Gunners take on Hammers
• United meet Sunderland
• Blues clash with Reds
• Sunday
• Villa play Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Brentford v Manchester City

Continental Results

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

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

Europa League roundup: McGinn secures Villa win as Rangers and Celtic lose.

Fan Reaction at City Ground

Events were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, many local fans chanting: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters twisted the knife, singing the name of his former coach Nuno Espírito Santo, with a number turning towards Evangelos Marinakis watching on with his own large personal screen in the directors’ box. This resulted in grim viewing.

Weekend Lookahead

Without a loss in the Premier League since their initial match, the Cherries strong start has been halted by back-to-back ties: at home to Newcastle and at Elland Road recently. Fulham travel to the Vitality on Friday, presenting Bournemouth a presentable chance of recapturing winning ways and going second. After a hectic off-season, Iraola has sought stability in his team selection.

Behind 2-1 at their opponents, the coach made a triple change to reintroduce three regular players – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his starting eleven and was rewarded with a equalizing goal. The team have also maintained solidity at the back, allowing only one goal in several matches between the away games to strong opponents. The defender, often playing in an otherwise brand-new back five, has been crucial to the squad's cohesion. The centre-back earned praise from Iraola for his defensive work and danger at attacking set-pieces – as shown by his aerial pass for the leveling goal at Elland Road.