ange Postecoglou
Nottingham Forest is gearing up for a challenging trip to the north east as they prepare to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday. The Reds are still in search of their first victory under head coach Ange Postecoglou, who faces significant selection decisions following a series of disappointing results. The team’s injury woes continue to complicate matters, with key players sidelined and recent setbacks during their Europa League encounter with FC Midtjylland.
Ange Postecoglou said: “He just fell awkwardly and hurt his back, it seemed like. I think it was the first header he went up for and he just couldn’t move. It wasn’t even related to the previous injury. We’ll see. It was a different knock last night. He only had 20 minutes against Arsenal and similar last night, so it was disappointing to lose him. He actually trained this morning and he looked okay, so I’m not really sure. We’ll wait and see. There’s a couple others who are a bit sore from last night. We’ll see how they are tomorrow before making decisions for Sunday.”
Murillo, who had recently returned to the starting lineup after a thigh injury, was forced off the pitch less than 30 minutes into the match against FC Midtjylland due to a back issue. This latest setback adds to the growing list of injuries for Forest, with full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and midfielder Douglas Luiz both expected to miss the upcoming fixture due to groin and hamstring injuries, respectively. Additionally, defender Ola Aina remains a long-term absentee with his own hamstring problem.
Postecoglou’s tenure with Nottingham Forest has been challenging, with the team yet to secure a win under his leadership. His current record stands at four losses and two draws, and the pressure is mounting as Forest fans expressed their dissatisfaction following the midweek defeat. However, the upcoming match against Newcastle presents an opportunity for redemption.
Ange Postecoglou said: “Newcastle away is a tough game but it’s a great opportunity. If you can go there and get a result, it certainly will give everyone a lift and belief that we can turn our current situation around. A tough game, for sure, it always is up there. The crowd get right behind them and it’s a cracking atmosphere. It’s an exciting fixture so I’m looking forward to it.”
The clash at St James’ Park is anticipated to be a stern test for Forest, with Newcastle’s home advantage and supportive crowd adding to the challenge. However, Postecoglou remains optimistic about the potential impact of a positive result, which could serve as a catalyst for turning around their current form. As the international break looms, securing a win could provide much-needed momentum and confidence for the team moving forward.
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