OH NO HE ISN’T! OH YES HE IS!
Without a doubt the most disliked Aussie to arrive in this part of England since a villainous hotelier from a famous TV drama took part in a theatrical show 20 years back, Forest’s new boss’s time in charge at the Nottingham stadium could scarcely have got off to a more inauspicious start. Even though the heckling and shouts that performer the Neighbours star was endured during a festive pantomime were generally lighthearted, the toxicity of the invective directed at the Forest manager during the team’s European setback by the Danish side on last Thursday was so severe that it is hard to believe the manager who has been in charge for only half a dozen games will keep his job to endure the festive cat-calls this holiday season. Multiple times the veteran manager’s shouts of “There’s someone there!” went unheeded by his struggling players, particularly when the Danish side scored their opening pair from poorly handled free-kicks and corners. A long way from the joyous atmosphere they’d hoped for, the team’s first UEFA fixture on home soil in nearly three decades ended in bitterness with the crowd telling Postecoglou he’d be “fired by tomorrow”, before praising his favored, recently dismissed predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo.
“I realize the environment is negative, I grasp the public’s opinion, chiefly directed at me, but I never worry about that, it’s not unfamiliar territory for me,” the manager snapped in answer, while aiming the area at his feet to the usual fierce look. “I’m never shocked in this sport, that’s the current environment. This seems to be the direction. It’s nothing I can control. Followers are let down, they can think what they like. I took in their thoughts.” Although those Forest fans are entitled to vent, it could be contended that they might be better advised choosing a more fitting focus for their frustration. Ultimately, it was the club owner who fired a beloved manager to appoint the new boss, who was always going to start under pressure. Watching from the executive seats as he went through a range of angry, grim faces unseen since that period he learned Spurs had triggered Morgan Gibbs-White’s transfer clause, the Greek tycoon has up to now dodged any kind of major backlash from the crowd, a good number of whom remain convinced the he can do no wrong.
As the clock ticked past noon on Friday, talk of the coach’s imminent dismissal proved to be greatly exaggerated and reports suggest his job remains secure until such time as … in reality, it changes. Although the team manager can make a reasonable case that he has had minimal opportunity on the training pitch to introduce the approach and gameplan subtleties that caused Spurs losing more than half their league matches last term, his side’s schedule remains tough and continuous. Facing the Magpies, the Blues, Porto and the South-Coast team on the horizon it is hard to predict from where a initial success under the new boss will come before what could possibly become the mother of all El Sackicos against Manchester United.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I avoid conflicts and disputes, who singles out individuals, truthfully, I’ll refrain from naming names. But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, without anyone offering a greeting” – Antony criticizes Manchester United over the cold atmosphere at their stadium, where friendliness has likely worsened like the team’s form.
FAN MAILBAG
Is there truth the coach has vowed supporters he never loses a game in his second season?” – Pete Negri.
Far be it for me to want to amplify the stereotype that Gunners fans are the sport’s most complaining followers, but Thabo Caves (the prior edition’s comments) does make you think. Highlighting that rather than a pair of fixtures per week, the Gunners are having to play 2.33 games a week (oh, a half-hour more!) over a particular 21-day span (for a roster with two good options for every position to additionally) is not the debate-ender he might believe. Instead it’s just going to have the tiniest violin ensemble preparing to play once more, while the wider sport look on with exasperation” – Andrew Parker.
I’m unsure whether your current contributors (on two or three games a week) are consciously, ironically recreating one of the classic instances of online debate (SFW), or unconsciously proving the philosopher’s saying about past occurrences returning as comedy” – a fan.
If it’s any solace, yesterday’s letter-writer (the last mailbag), I’ve always been like that [hoping rich Premier League sides to fail on the continent]. Since Forest lost the ability to negotiate Europe, European competition for me has led to a state of helpless fury, interrupted now and then by the Romanian side and, maybe, Zaragoza. I couldn’t care less for Liverpool’s exploits from the 80s right up to Istanbul. I am unmoved by {‘that
