Ange Postecoglou’s winless start to his tenure at Nottingham Forest has continued, with the club suffering an agonising 3-2 loss at home to Midtjylland in the Europa League on Friday morning AEST.
Despite dominating the contest, including several close chances in the second half, Nottingham Forest couldn’t unearth an equaliser after Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech Sørensen scored off set pieces early in the contest.
Nottingham Forest’ss Chris Wood was twice denied goals due to off-side while Midtjylland goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson made a superb save before Valdemar Andreasen found the back of the net in the 87th minute, leaving Postecoglou with his head in his hands. Home fans chanted “sacked in the morning” after Midtjylland’s third goal, directing the taunts at the Australian manager.
Wood scored from a penalty during injury time, but it was too little, too late. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis watched from the stands in disgust as fans left the venue early.
Nottingham Forest registered 22 shots, with nine on target, compared to Midtjylland’s eight shots with five on target.
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“Forest fans are frustrated yet again,” Sky Sports’ Anton Toloui said.
“But Forest’s wounds are partly self-inflicted and their supporters know it.
“The inability to defend corners has been their downfall, something that seems so fixable.
“Yet again, there’s a lot for Postecoglou and his staff to mull over.
“Tonight was supposed to be a celebration of Forest’s return to Europe, instead it marks another low during a dismal season.”
Postecoglou has become the first permanent Nottingham Forest manager in last century to fail to win any of his first six games in charge of the club – John Baynes didn’t win any of his first seven games in 1925.
Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward continued on TNT Sports: “There is something not quite right and it has manifested onto the pitch.
“That is a poor result for Forest.”
Nottingham Forest will next face Newcastle St James’ Park on Sunday.