Forest Have No Plans to Dismiss Postecoglou; Alisson Sidelined; England Squad Updates
Ange Postecoglou Safe - At Present
As of the early hours today, Nottingham Forest had no plans to fire their manager but the volatile situation of the team and its owner Evangelos Marinakis means that things can change quickly.
Supporters made their voices known on Thursday, demanding the departure of the man who took over from an East Midlands hero and it is challenging to turn the tide once that occurs.
The Australian is the owner's choice, the club chief having lined him up long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. 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 part of the thoughts when he joined recently.
Postecoglou was always going to alter the approach but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his forerunner, so there is an acceptance that adjustments require patience. Tolerance, however, is not a trait often observed at the club. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so things are not going to get easier for Postecoglou.
Liverpool's Keeper Out for The Reds
Arne Slot has been speaking:
“Alisson is absent from the team tomorrow and he won’t travel to his national team for the international duty. Hugo [Ekitike] is returning to training this afternoon, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for the winger. It depends on how fast the recovery goes.
“I will be surprised if he [Alisson] will be there for the first game after the international break. After that progress may be a bit quicker or a bit slower. It’s difficult to say. I’m not a doctor so I cannot tell you if it is the same injury.”
The backup keeper is set to start instead of Alisson.
“I think we’ve observed against Southampton how well he’s adjusted. We knew we were signing a very good goalkeeper. When he plays his first game that’s a demonstration he’s adjusted really well to the team. It’s not a surprise because he’s a skilled player. Now he can do what we’ve needed to accomplish so many times in the past covering for Alisson, like we’ve handled previously.”
Weekend Matches
- Friday
- Cherries host Fulham (evening kickoff)
- Tomorrow
- Whites face Spurs
- Gunners take on Hammers
- Manchester United v Sunderland
- Blues clash with Reds
- Sunday
- Aston Villa v Burnley
- Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
- Wolves battle Seagulls
- Toffees vs Eagles
- Bees welcome City
Continental Results
The evening went well for the remaining UK teams in Europe. And a disappointing evening for the Scottish clubs.
Crystal Palace extended their winning streak as Muñoz kicks off continental campaign to strong beginning.
European tournament roundup: McGinn secures victory as Rangers and Celtic suffer defeats.
Supporters' Response at City Ground
The scenes were close to extraordinary on a disheartening night, thousands of home supporters singing: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters added insult to injury, voicing the name of his former coach the ex-manager, with a number turning towards Evangelos Marinakis observing with his own large personal screen in the directors’ box. This resulted in a dismal spectacle.
Weekend Lookahead
Without a loss in the Premier League since their Friday night opener, Bournemouth early momentum has been stalled by back-to-back ties: at their stadium to the Magpies and at Elland Road recently. Fulham visit the stadium on tonight, presenting Bournemouth a good opportunity of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a turbulent summer, Iraola has sought consistency in his team selection.
Trailing 2-1 at their opponents, the coach 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 equalizing goal. Bournemouth have also preserved defensive stability, allowing only one goal in several matches between the trips to strong opponents. The defender, often playing in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been key to the team’s continuity. The defender received accolades from Iraola for his performances and danger at dead-ball situations – as evidenced by his aerial pass for the leveling goal at the venue.
