Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou desperately needs a positive result against Chelsea at the City Ground
10:00, 18 Oct 2025
Sarah Clapson is Nottingham Forest correspondent for NottinghamshireLive and the Nottingham Post. She has covered the Reds since 2015, having joined the Post the previous year. Being involved in the coverage of everything from Evangelos Marinakis’ takeover of the club to Forest winning promotion at Wembley, she has followed the team up and down the country, as well as abroad, to report on the latest goings-on.
Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou on the City Ground touchline against FC Midtjylland
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Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou on the City Ground touchline against FC Midtjylland(Image: Getty)
There is no getting away from the importance of this afternoon's clash for Nottingham Forest and head coach Ange Postecoglou.
International break over with, the Reds return to action today with a visit from Chelsea (12.30pm kick-off). There is much at stake for the hosts on the banks of the Trent.
Just seven games into his tenure, Postecoglou is under significant pressure going into the Premier League fixture at the City Ground. He has lost five of his seven matches in charge and is yet to register a win.
Forest are languishing at the wrong end of the table, in 17th spot. It is still early days, but they will want to get moving up the rankings pretty sharpish.
If Postecoglou is to retain the backing of owner Evangelos Marinakis, he needs to get results - and quickly. NottinghamshireLive takes a look at what the 60-year-old needs to get right against the Blues.
Team selection
Postecoglou has chopped and changed his starting XI a fair bit since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm. A hectic fixture list prior to the break played a part in that, with Forest also covering a lot of miles due to five games on the road.
But there was also a sense Postecoglou was still trying to figure out his strongest XI. Thrown straight in at the deep end, assessing them in games was the only way of getting to know his players given the limited training time available.
At some point, though, the Reds need a bit of continuity. Of course injuries and balancing the demands of different competitions will have an impact, but some consistency in team selection can help with turning around their fortunes.
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Game plan
Against Newcastle United last time out, Postecoglou demonstrated a willingness to adapt. He adopted a more pragmatic approach compared to his usual all-out attacking style.
It still didn’t yield a positive result in the end as his team fell 2-0 in the north east, but it showed the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is prepared to bend slightly. It is clear he knows he needs the tide to turn and will try anything to stop the rot.
Given how much is riding on today’s clash, it is crucial Postecoglou sets his team up right. Does he revert to his trademark front-footed game plan or go with something similar to the St James’ Park template?
Forest did look better against the Magpies than in previous games. But with this fixture being at home, the Reds will need something to get the crowd going.
Fans’ support
Speaking of the supporters, Postecoglou should not underestimate the part they have to play - both in determining his own future and in helping to turn around Forest’s poor run. He would be wise to do what he can to try to get fans on side.
He has his work cut out on that front. Getting a result would certainly help.
The City Ground turned ugly the last time the Reds played at home. As they fell to defeat against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, the crowd made their feelings clear when they chanted about Postecoglou getting the sack.
In recent years, a sense of unity on and off the pitch has been at the heart of special times for Forest. The incredible backing received home and away played an integral role in promotion to the Premier League, then in securing survival and in last season’s brilliant seventh-placed finish.
When the City Ground is rocking, it is unlike anywhere else. Postecoglou should take heed of how much of a difference Reds fans can make when it comes to securing results.
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