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Ange Postecoglou is set to persuade Nottingham Forest’s board to retain faith in his managerial philosophy when he meets with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Defiant Forest boss sees signs of progress during poor results

The Australian was in unbowed, nearly humorous 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 recently. Yet the experienced coach, who surprisingly started with a back five, identified indications of improvement as he gets ready for vital talks with club officials.

"Yes, this is hopeless," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an thrilling chance. You have to be up for the battle and the challenge. It would be foolish to be in this position at the sixty years old if I was without confidence or determination. Even in the schoolyard I chose battles with people that defeated me."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Warming to his theme, Postecoglou gently mocked the drama of Premier League football that almost demands that at least one manager is always considered 'under pressure'. "I understand that this is part of the fanfare of the Premier League that it needs a coach to be in the spotlight. If people want to assess me less than a month into the job, there's nothing I can say or do that will change that."

"However my observations and experienced in this timeframe is that we are moving in the path I desire us to. The results will come. In the meantime it is a struggle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. Life doesn't give things handed to us on a plate in existence, we have to fight. I have fought for things throughout my career. Why must everyone want everything neatly packaged? Modern mentality nowadays seems to be that, as quickly as something fails, you replace it."

Accepting the test at the club

During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause at some point but your parents didn't give up on you."

Postecoglou then reiterated that he had walked into the Nottingham Forest with his eyes wide open and always recognized that his effort to change Forest’s playing style would not be straightforward. "I was aware this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why people think difficulties are a burden, I love a challenge. The alternative is sitting at home watching games and I don't want to do that. If you guys have great enjoyment about this situation I don't care. I couldn't care less."