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Ange Postecoglou Safe - For Now

As of the early hours today, the club had no plans to sack their manager but the unpredictable nature of the club and its proprietor the chairman indicates things can change quickly.

The fans made their voices known on Thursday, calling for the exit of the man who replaced an East Midlands hero and it is challenging to turn the tide once that happens.

Postecoglou is the owner's choice, the owner having selected him long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. All involved with the club anticipated a time of adjustment but to be without a victory in six games and suffering defeats at home to opposing teams were not anticipated outcomes when he arrived last month.

The Australian was intended to change the style but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his forerunner, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often seen at Forest. The upcoming league fixtures are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so things are not going to get easier for the manager.

Alisson Injured for Liverpool

The Liverpool manager has been speaking:

“The goalkeeper 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 this afternoon, let’s see where he is. The applies similarly for the winger. It depends on how quickly they heal.

“I would not expect if he the keeper will be there for the initial match after the international break. From there on progress may be a bit faster or a bit more gradual. It’s hard to predict. I’m not a doctor so I am unable to confirm if it is the same injury.”

The backup keeper is set to start in place of the first choice.

“I believe we’ve observed against Southampton how seamlessly he has fitted in. We were aware we were bringing in a very good shot-stopper. When he made his debut that’s a demonstration he’s adapted excellently to the team. It’s expected because he’s a quality goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve had to do so many occasions in the previous seasons covering for Alisson, like we’ve done so many times before.”

Weekend Fixtures

• Friday
• Cherries host Fulham (8pm)
• Saturday
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Gunners take on Hammers
• Manchester United v Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Day after
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves v Brighton
• Everton v Crystal Palace
• Bees welcome City

Continental Action

It was a good night for the remaining UK teams in Europe. And a disappointing evening for the Scottish clubs.

The Eagles prolonged their unbeaten run as their manager gets European tilt to flying start.

European tournament roundup: McGinn secures victory as Rangers and Celtic lose.

Supporters' Response at City Ground

Events were close to extraordinary on a sobering evening, thousands of home supporters chanting: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the same fans added insult to injury, singing the name of his former coach the ex-manager, with several turning towards Evangelos Marinakis observing with his own giant private television in the executive area. This made for grim viewing.

Weekend Lookahead

Without a loss in the Premier League since their initial match, the Cherries early momentum has been halted by back-to-back ties: at their stadium to Newcastle and at Leeds last week. The Cottagers visit the stadium on Friday, offering Bournemouth a good opportunity of returning to victory and going second. After a hectic off-season, the manager has sought consistency in his lineup choices.

Trailing 2-1 at Leeds, the Bournemouth manager made a triple change to reintroduce three usual starters – key squad members – to his XI and was compensated with a equalizing goal. The team have also preserved solidity at the back, conceding just once in four games between the trips to strong opponents. Marcos Senesi, often featuring in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been key to the team’s continuity. The defender earned praise from the boss for his defensive work and danger at attacking set-pieces – as shown by his headed assist for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at Elland Road.