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Ange Postecoglou Safe - At Present

Starting from 9am this morning, Nottingham Forest had no plans to sack Ange Postecoglou but the unpredictable nature of the team and its owner the chairman indicates things can change quickly.

Supporters expressed their opinions on the previous day, calling for the exit of the coach who replaced an local favorite and it is difficult to turn the tide once that happens.

The Australian is the owner's choice, the owner having selected him well ahead of the previous manager was dismissed. Everyone at Forest expected a time of adjustment but to be winless in six matches and suffering defeats at their own ground to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not part of the thoughts when he joined recently.

Postecoglou was intended to alter the approach but he has his tactical philosophy, which is very different to his predecessor, so there is an understanding that adjustments require patience. Tolerance, however, is not a quality often seen at the club. The upcoming league fixtures are against tough opponents, so the challenge will intensify for the manager.

Liverpool's Keeper Out for The Reds

The Liverpool manager has been speaking:

“The goalkeeper is absent from the team tomorrow and he will not go to his national team for the international duty. Hugo [Ekitike] is going to train again today, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for Frederico [Chiesa]. It hinges on how fast the recovery goes.

“I will be surprised if he the keeper will be there for the first game after the national team pause. After that progress may be a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s difficult to say. I’m not medically trained so I am unable to confirm if it is the same injury.”

The backup keeper is set to start instead of the first choice.

“I think we’ve observed against the Saints how seamlessly he has fitted in. We were aware we were signing a very good goalkeeper. When he made his debut that’s a demonstration he’s adapted excellently to our club. It’s expected because he’s a quality goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve had to do so many times in the previous seasons covering for Alisson, like we’ve handled previously.”

Weekend Fixtures

• Friday
• Cherries host Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Saturday
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Gunners take on Hammers
• United meet Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Sunday
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
• Wolves v Brighton
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Brentford v Manchester City

Continental Action

The evening went well for the remaining UK teams in Europe. And a bad night for the Scottish clubs.

The Eagles prolonged their winning streak as their manager kicks off European tilt to strong beginning.

European tournament summary: McGinn secures victory as Scottish sides suffer defeats.

Fan Reaction at Forest's Stadium

Events were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, many local fans singing: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the supporters twisted the knife, singing the name of his predecessor the ex-manager, with a number directing comments at the owner observing with his own giant private television in the directors’ box. This resulted in a dismal spectacle.

Weekend Lookahead

Without a loss in the league since their initial match, Bournemouth early momentum has been stalled by back-to-back ties: at home to Newcastle and at Elland Road recently. Fulham visit the stadium on Friday, offering Andoni Iraola’s side a presentable chance of returning to victory and climbing the table. After a hectic off-season, Iraola has sought consistency in his team selection.

Trailing 2-1 at their opponents, the Bournemouth manager made a three substitutions to restore three usual starters – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his XI and was compensated with a late leveller. The team have also maintained solidity at the back, allowing only one goal in four games between the away games to Liverpool and Leeds. The defender, often featuring in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been key to the team’s continuity. The defender earned praise from the boss for his performances and danger at dead-ball situations – as evidenced by his headed assist for the leveling goal at the venue.