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OH NO HE ISN’T! OH YES HE IS!

Arguably the most disliked down-under figure to make an appearance in this part of England since a villainous hotelier from a famous TV drama took part in a local pantomime two decades ago, the Greek-Australian’s tenure at the Nottingham stadium could begun in the worst possible way. While the jeers and taunts that TV star the soap veteran was subjected to during a seasonal stage show were mostly in fun, the hostility of the invective directed at the Forest manager during the team’s Bigger Vase defeat by Midtjylland on the previous night was so overwhelming that it is difficult to imagine the manager who has been in charge for a mere handful of fixtures will keep his job to hear the Christmas jeers this Christmas. On more than one occasion the 60-year-old’s shouts of “There’s someone there!” went unheeded by his struggling players, especially when the opposition scored their first two goals from atrociously defended dead-ball situations. A long way from the joyous atmosphere they’d hoped for, Nottingham Forest’s first European home game in almost 30 seasons ended in bitterness with supporters telling the manager he’d be “dismissed soon”, before praising his favored, newly sacked former boss, the Portuguese tactician.

“I get the mood around the place isn’t going to be great, I understand people’s attitude, particularly towards me, but I don’t fret over it, this is nothing new to me,” the coach retorted in response, while subjecting the floor around his feet to the usual fierce look. “Nothing surprises me in football, it’s the way things are. That appears to be the trend. It’s nothing I can control. The fans are disappointed, they have every right to their view. I took in their thoughts.” Although those supporters are allowed to complain, it could be contended that they might be better advised selecting a more fitting focus for their ire. Ultimately, it was the club owner who dismissed a popular figure to bring in Postecoglou, who was always going to face a tough task from day one. Watching from the owners’ area as he went through a repertoire of angry, grim faces unseen since that time he found out Tottenham had triggered the player’s buyout option, the wealthy owner has so far escaped any kind of serious criticism from supporters, a sizable group of whom remain certain the sun shines out of his generously upholstered nether regions.

As the clock ticked past noon on Friday, rumours of the coach’s imminent dismissal proved to be greatly exaggerated and sources indicate his job remains safe until such time as … in reality, it changes. While the club boss can argue with some mitigation that he has had minimal opportunity on the practice field to implement the philosophy and tactical nuance that led to Spurs dropping a majority of their Premier League fixtures last campaign, his side’s schedule remains forbidding and relentless. With the Magpies, the London club, the European opponents and Bournemouth on the horizon it is difficult to see from where a first Postecoglou win will come before what could possibly become the biggest dismissal-decider against the Old Trafford side.

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TOP STATEMENT

“I steer clear of heated debates, who singles out individuals, in fact, I won’t mention anyone’s name here. But I believe there was some disrespect, along with some incivility, without anyone offering a greeting” – the Brazilian winger slams the Red Devils over the frosty environment at Old Trafford, where warmth has seemingly headed south like the club’s results.

READER COMMENTS

Is there truth Ange Postecoglou has assured supporters he never loses a game in his next campaign?” – a reader.

Far be it for me to want to amplify the cliché that Gunners fans are the game’s biggest moaners, but a letter-writer (the prior edition’s comments) does make you think. Pointing out that rather than two games a week, the North London side are having to play over two matches weekly (ooh an extra 30 minutes!) over a certain trio of weeks (for a squad with two good options for every position to as well) is not the debate-ender he might think. On the contrary it’s just going to have the smallest fiddle players preparing to play once more, while the other fans look on with exasperation” – another reader.

I’m unsure whether your recent correspondents (on two or three games a week) are intentionally, sarcastically mimicking one of the memorable moments of internet discourse (family-friendly), or unconsciously proving the philosopher’s saying about historical events repeating themselves as farce” – a fan.

For what it’s worth, Bob Cushion (the last mailbag), I’ve long felt that way [hoping wealthy English teams to fail on the continent]. From the time Forest stopped competing in Europe, continental matches for me has caused a state of frustrated anger, interrupted now and then by the Romanian side and, if pressed, Zaragoza. I don’t give a hoot for the Reds’ achievements from the eighties right up to the 2005 final. I’m indifferent to {‘that