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Postecoglou Safe - For Now

Starting from the early hours today, Nottingham Forest were not intending to fire Ange Postecoglou but the volatile situation of the team and its proprietor Evangelos Marinakis means that circumstances may shift rapidly.

The fans made their voices known on the previous day, demanding the departure of the man who took over from an East Midlands hero and it is challenging to turn the tide once that happens.

Postecoglou is the owner's choice, the club chief having lined him up long before the previous manager was sent packing. All involved with the club expected a period of transition but to be winless in six matches and suffering defeats at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not anticipated outcomes when he joined recently.

The Australian was always going to alter the approach but he has his tactical philosophy, which is distinctly unlike to his forerunner, so there is an understanding that adjustments require patience. Tolerance, however, is not a trait often observed at the club. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so the challenge will intensify for Postecoglou.

Alisson Out for The Reds

The Liverpool manager addressed the media:

“Alisson is not part of the squad this weekend and he will not go to Brazil for the international duty. Hugo [Ekitike] is going to train again this afternoon, we will assess where he is. The applies similarly for the winger. It depends on how fast the recovery goes.

“I would not expect if he the keeper will be there for the initial match after the national team pause. After that progress may be a bit quicker or a bit more gradual. It’s hard to predict. I’m not a doctor so I cannot tell you if it is the same injury.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili will play in place of Alisson.

“I think we’ve seen against the Saints how well he’s adjusted. We were aware we were signing a very good shot-stopper. When he plays his first game that’s a way of seeing he’s adjusted really well to the team. It’s not a surprise because he’s a quality goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve had to do so many times in the previous seasons replacing Alisson, like we’ve handled previously.”

Weekend Fixtures

• Friday
• Cherries host Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Saturday
• Whites face Spurs
• Arsenal v West Ham
• United meet Sunderland
• Chelsea v Liverpool
• Day after
• Aston Villa v Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves battle Seagulls
• Everton v Crystal Palace
• Bees welcome City

European Results

It was a good night for the other English clubs in continental competitions. And a bad night for the Scottish clubs.

Crystal Palace extended their winning streak as their manager kicks off continental campaign to strong beginning.

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

Supporters' Response at City Ground

The scenes were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, thousands of home supporters chanting: “Your job is at risk.” Then the supporters added insult to injury, voicing the title of his former coach the ex-manager, with several directing comments at Evangelos Marinakis watching on with his own giant private television in the directors’ box. This resulted in a dismal spectacle.

Preview of Matches

Unbeaten in the league since their Friday night opener, Bournemouth strong start has been stalled by back-to-back ties: at their stadium to Newcastle and at Elland Road recently. Fulham travel to the stadium on tonight, presenting Andoni Iraola’s side a good opportunity of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a turbulent summer, Iraola has aimed for stability in his team selection.

Behind 2-1 at Leeds, the Bournemouth manager made a three substitutions to reintroduce three regular players – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his starting eleven and was rewarded with a equalizing goal. The team have also preserved solidity at the back, allowing only one goal in several matches between the away games to Liverpool and Leeds. Marcos Senesi, often featuring in an otherwise new defensive unit, has been crucial to the team’s continuity. The defender earned praise from the boss for his defensive work and danger at attacking set-pieces – as evidenced by his headed assist for the leveling goal at the venue.