What next? Turbulent times at Forest are leaving sour taste

NOTTINGHAM Forest's season continues to hurtle off track amid growing speculation about the future of Ange Postecoglou after a horror start to his City Ground tenure.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

Despite reports at the end of last week that he could be facing the axe after the Reds' latest loss to Newcastle United, there are no immediate signs that his time at the club is coming to a premature end. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is yet to comment on the speculation, or indeed show his hand.

Postecoglou's record to date reads five defeats and two draws from his seven matches at the helm. It leaves the Reds out of the Carabao Cup, just above the relegation zone in the Premier League and with one point from their opening two Europa League games.

With some Forest fans singing for his exit, and others remaining cautiously optimistic, we decided to join the debate with our thoughts on the mess unfolding Trentside.

Forest's season rests on what happens next - Sarah Clapson

Ange Postecoglou came out fighting in his post-match press conference after Sunday's defeat to Newcastle United. And a fight is exactly what he finds himself in.

A fight to win over Forest fans, to convince owner Evangelos Marinakis he remains the right man for the job and (most importantly) a fight for results. Off-field politics did for Postecoglou's predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo, but it is cold, hard stats that are threatening to be the new man's downfall.

Add in the toxic atmosphere at the City Ground during Forest's last home game, when they were beaten by FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and the problems are mounting for the 60-year-old. So is the pressure.

After that midweek defeat, it was difficult to see a way back for Postecoglou. Some fans took to gesturing in Marinakis' direction as if to question what he was going to do about it.

The Reds did play better at St James' Park and Postecoglou demonstrated a willingness to adapt by adopting a pragmatic approach. But they still lost, and if they are not careful, this could easily become a season of struggling at the wrong end of the table.