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Postecoglou Safe - For Now

Starting from the early hours today, Nottingham Forest were not intending to sack Ange Postecoglou but the unpredictable nature of the team and its proprietor Evangelos Marinakis indicates things can change quickly.

The fans made their voices known on the previous day, demanding the departure of the man who replaced 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 well ahead of Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed. Everyone at Forest expected a time of adjustment but to be winless in six matches and losing at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not anticipated outcomes when he joined recently.

The Australian was intended to change the style but he has his way of playing, which is very different to his forerunner, so there is an understanding that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often observed at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against tough opponents, so the challenge will intensify for the manager.

Alisson Injured for The Reds

Arne Slot has been speaking:

“Alisson is absent from the team tomorrow and he will not go to his national team for the national team matches. The forward is returning to training today, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for the winger. It depends on how quickly they heal.

“I will be surprised if he [Alisson] will be there for the initial match after the national team pause. From there on progress may be a bit faster or a bit slower. It’s difficult to say. I’m not a doctor so I cannot tell you if it is the identical issue.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start in place of the first choice.

“I think we’ve seen against Southampton how well he’s adjusted. We knew we were signing a very good goalkeeper. When he made his debut that’s a demonstration he’s adjusted really well to our club. It’s not a surprise because he’s a quality player. Now he can do what we’ve needed to accomplish so many occasions in the previous seasons covering for the main keeper, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Weekend Matches

• Tonight
• Bournemouth v Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Tomorrow
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Gunners take on Hammers
• Manchester United v Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Sunday
• Villa play Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves v Brighton
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Bees welcome City

Continental Action

It was a good night for the other English clubs in Europe. And a disappointing evening for the Scottish clubs.

Crystal Palace prolonged their unbeaten run as Muñoz gets continental campaign to flying start.

European tournament summary: McGinn secures Villa win as Rangers and Celtic suffer defeats.

Fan Reaction at Forest's Stadium

The scenes were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, thousands of home supporters singing: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters twisted the knife, voicing the title of his predecessor Nuno Espírito Santo, with a number turning towards the owner watching on with his own large personal screen in the executive area. This made for grim viewing.

Preview of Matches

Unbeaten in the league since their initial match, Bournemouth early momentum has been stalled by back-to-back ties: at home to Newcastle and at Elland Road recently. Fulham travel to the Vitality on Friday, offering Andoni Iraola’s side a good opportunity of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a turbulent summer, the manager has sought stability in his lineup choices.

Behind 2-1 at their opponents, the coach made a three substitutions to restore three usual starters – key squad members – to his XI and was rewarded with a late leveller. The team have also preserved defensive stability, conceding just once in four games between the away games to strong opponents. The defender, often playing in an otherwise brand-new back five, has been key to the squad's cohesion. The defender earned praise from Iraola for his performances and threat at dead-ball situations – as shown by his aerial pass for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at Elland Road.