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IT CAN’T BE HIM! BUT IT IS!

Without a doubt the least favored Aussie to show up in the Nottingham area since a villainous hotelier from a popular soap appeared in a theatrical show two decades ago, Ange Postecoglou’s reign at the club’s home could scarcely have got off to a more inauspicious start. While the boos and catcalls that actor the Neighbours star was endured during a seasonal stage show were largely good-natured, the venom of the criticism directed at the Australian coach during Nottingham Forest’s European setback by the Danish side on the previous night was so overwhelming that it is hard to believe the man who has been in charge for a mere handful of fixtures will still be around to listen to the Christmas jeers this December. On more than one occasion the 60-year-old’s shouts of “He’s behind you!” went disregarded by his hapless players, not least when the visiting team scored their opening pair from poorly handled free-kicks and corners. Far from the happy occasion they’d anticipated, the team’s first continental match at home in 29 years ended in acrimony with supporters telling Postecoglou he’d be “sacked in the morning”, before chanting for his well-liked, just-removed former boss, the ex-Wolves coach.

“I understand the atmosphere won’t be positive, I know how fans feel, especially about me, but that doesn’t concern me, this is nothing new to me,” Postecoglou growled in answer, while directing the area at his feet to the usual death-stare. “Football holds no surprises for me, it’s the climate we’re in. That appears to be the trend. It’s nothing I can control. The fans are disappointed, they can think what they like. I took in their thoughts.” Even if those supporters are allowed to complain, it could be contended that they might be wiser selecting a more appropriate target for their ire. In the end, it was the club owner who sacked a firm fan favourite to bring in the new boss, who was always going to start under pressure. Looking on from the owners’ area as he went through a repertoire of surly, dark scowls last witnessed during that period he learned Spurs had activated the player’s release clause, the Greek tycoon has so far escaped any kind of harsh judgement from the crowd, a good number of whom remain convinced the sun shines out of his generously upholstered nether regions.

By Friday midday, speculation of Postecoglou getting sacked in the morning proved to be overstated and it appears his job remains secure until such time as … in reality, it changes. Although the club boss can argue with some mitigation that he has had very few sessions on the training pitch to introduce the approach and gameplan subtleties that led to Spurs failing to win more than half their league matches last term, his team’s fixture list remains daunting and unyielding. Facing Newcastle, the London club, Porto and the Cherries next up it is hard to predict from where a initial success under the new boss will come before what could surely be the mother of all El Sackicos against the Red Devils.

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TOP STATEMENT

“I’m not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, in fact, I’ll refrain from naming names. Yet I feel there was a slight disregard, along with some incivility, without anyone offering a greeting” – the Brazilian winger criticizes Manchester United over the cold atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams, where warmth has apparently declined like the club’s results.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

Is there truth Ange Postecoglou has promised Forest fans he never loses a game in his following term?” – a fan.

It’s not my place to seek to emphasize the stereotype that the Emirates faithful are the game’s biggest moaners, but Thabo Caves (yesterday’s Football Daily letters) does make you wonder. Pointing out that rather than two games a week, Arsenal are having to play 2.33 games a week (oh, a half-hour more!) over a specific three-week period (for a roster with double coverage in all roles to as well) is not the discussion-closer he might imagine. Rather it’s just going to have the orchestra of the world’s smallest violins preparing to play once more, while the wider sport look on with exasperation” – Andrew Parker.

I’m puzzled whether your recent correspondents (on several fixtures each week) are deliberately, mockingly repeating one of the memorable moments of online debate (safe for work), or unconsciously proving the famous quote about history repeating first as tragedy, then as farce” – a fan.

To comfort you, yesterday’s letter-writer (the last mailbag), I’ve long felt that way [wanting rich Premier League sides to lose in Europe]. From the time Forest stopped competing in Europe, continental matches for me has induced a state of seething impotent rage, interrupted now and then by Steaua Bucharest and, at a push, the La Liga outfit. I care not one jot for Liverpool’s exploits from the 80s right up to Istanbul. I feel nothing for {‘that