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Ange Postecoglou is set to persuade the club's directors to retain faith in his coaching approach when he meets with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Defiant Forest boss detects signs of progress during poor results

The former Tottenham manager was in unbowed, almost jocular form after the weekend loss at Newcastle. It prolonged his run without a win to seven matches since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who unusually started with a back five, identified indications of improvement as he gets ready for crucial discussions with club officials.

"Indeed, it’s a lost cause," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an exciting opportunity. You have to be ready for the battle and the challenge. I’d be silly to be in this position at the sixty years old if I was without confidence or determination. Back in the playground I chose battles with people that defeated me."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Expanding on his point, the Forest manager gently mocked the pantomime of English top division that typically requires that at least one manager is always deemed 'in trouble'. "I get that this is part of the fanfare of the Premier League that it requires a coach to be in the limelight. If people want to assess me three and a half weeks into the job, there's no words or actions 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. Positive outcomes will come. In the meantime it is a battle and a contest and there is no issue with that. We don't have things provided easily on a plate in existence, we have to work hard. I have fought for things throughout my career. Why does everyone want everything neatly packaged? The attitude nowadays appears that, as soon as something goes wrong, you change it."

Embracing the test at the club

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

The manager then restated that he had walked into the Nottingham Forest with his full awareness and always understood that his attempt to change the team's approach would not be straightforward. "I knew this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I'm unsure why people think difficulties are a problem, I love a test. The alternative is sitting at home viewing matches and I don't want to do that. Should journalists have great enjoyment about this situation I don't care. I couldn't care less."