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Ange Postecoglou is determined to persuade Nottingham Forest’s board to retain faith in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Resolute Forest boss sees positive indicators amid winless run

The Australian was in defiant, almost jocular form after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It prolonged his run without a win to seven games since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who unusually started with a back five, detected signs of improvement as he gets ready for crucial discussions with City Ground directors.

"Yes, this is hopeless," he said, with irony. "I view this as an exciting opportunity. One must be up for the battle and the struggle. I’d be silly to be sitting here at the age of 60 if I lacked confidence or fight. Back in the schoolyard I picked fights with people that defeated me."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Warming to his theme, the Forest manager lightly teased the drama of Premier League football that almost demands that at least one manager is always considered 'in trouble'. "I get that this is part of the fanfare of the top division that it needs one manager to be in the spotlight. Should individuals wish to evaluate my work less than a month into the job, there's no words or do that will alter that perception."

"But what I have seen and felt in this period is that we are heading in the path I want us to. The results will come. In the meantime it is a battle and a contest and there is nothing wrong with that. Life doesn't give things handed to us on a plate in existence, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things all my life. Why does everyone want everything neatly packaged? The attitude today appears that, as soon as something goes wrong, you change it."

Embracing the test at Nottingham Forest

Amid much hilarity, he implied that a journalist might have been "a lost cause at certain time but your family persevered on you."

The manager then reiterated that he had joined the Nottingham Forest with his full awareness and always recognized that his attempt to alter the team's approach would not be straightforward. "I was aware this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I'm unsure why people think difficulties are a problem, I enjoy a challenge. The alternative is staying home viewing matches and I prefer not to do that. If you guys have great enjoyment about this situation I am unconcerned. It doesn't bother me."