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Ange Postecoglou Safe - For Now

As of the early hours today, Nottingham Forest had no plans to sack their manager but the unpredictable nature of the club and its proprietor Evangelos Marinakis means that circumstances may shift rapidly.

The fans expressed their opinions on the previous day, demanding the exit of the coach who replaced an East Midlands hero and it is challenging to reverse the sentiment once that occurs.

The Australian is Marinakis’ man, the club chief having lined him up long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. Everyone at Forest expected a time of adjustment but to be winless in six matches and suffering defeats at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not part of the thoughts when he arrived last month.

Postecoglou was intended to change the style but he has his tactical philosophy, which is very different to his forerunner, so there is an understanding that adjustments require patience. Patience, however, is not a trait often observed at the club. The next three Premier League games are against tough opponents, so things are not going to get easier for the manager.

Alisson Injured for The Reds

The Liverpool manager has been speaking:

“Alisson is not part of the squad tomorrow 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 hinges on how quickly they heal.

“I would not expect if he the keeper will be there for the initial match after the national team pause. From there on progress may be a bit faster or a bit more gradual. It’s hard to predict. I’m not a doctor so I am unable to confirm if it is the same injury.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start instead of the first choice.

“I believe we’ve observed 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 expected because he’s a skilled goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve needed to accomplish so many occasions in the past covering for Alisson, like we’ve handled previously.”

Weekend Matches

• Friday
• Bournemouth v Fulham (evening kickoff)
• Saturday
• Leeds v Tottenham
• Arsenal v West Ham
• United meet Sunderland
• Blues clash with Reds
• Sunday
• Villa play Burnley
• Magpies host Forest
• Wolves v Brighton
• Toffees vs Eagles
• Brentford v Manchester City

European Action

The evening went well for the remaining UK teams in Europe. And a bad night for the Scottish clubs.

Crystal Palace prolonged their unbeaten run as Muñoz kicks off European tilt to flying start.

European tournament summary: McGinn secures Villa win as Rangers and Celtic lose.

Supporters' Response at City Ground

The scenes were nearly unprecedented on a disheartening night, many local fans chanting: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the same fans added insult to injury, singing the name of his predecessor Nuno Espírito Santo, with a number turning towards the owner watching on with his own large personal screen in the directors’ box. This resulted in grim viewing.

Preview of Matches

Unbeaten in the league since their initial match, Bournemouth early momentum has been halted by back-to-back ties: at their stadium to the Magpies and at Leeds last week. Fulham visit the stadium on tonight, presenting Andoni Iraola’s side a presentable chance of recapturing winning ways and climbing the table. After a hectic off-season, the manager has sought consistency in his lineup choices.

Behind 2-1 at Leeds, the coach made a three substitutions to reintroduce three usual starters – key squad members – to his starting eleven and was compensated with a late leveller. The team have also maintained defensive stability, 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 key to the squad's cohesion. The defender earned praise from the boss for his defensive work and threat at attacking set-pieces – as shown by his headed assist for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at the venue.