Forest's manager begins director discussions determined to retaining job at City Ground club

The Australian manager is set to persuade the club's directors to retain faith in his managerial philosophy when he meets with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis in coming days.

Resolute Postecoglou sees signs of progress during poor results

The Australian was in defiant, nearly humorous form after the weekend loss at Newcastle. It extended his winless streak to seven matches since he succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet the experienced coach, who unusually started with a five-man defense, identified indications of progress as he prepares for vital talks with club officials.

"Yes, this is hopeless," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an thrilling chance. One must be up for the fight and the challenge. It would be foolish to be sitting here at the age of 60 if I was without self-belief or determination. Even in the playground I picked fights with people that defeated me."

Top flight pantomime gently mocked

Warming to his theme, the Forest manager lightly teased the drama of Premier League football that typically requires that at least one manager is always deemed 'in trouble'. "I get that this is part of the fanfare of the top division that it requires a coach to be in the spotlight. If people want to assess me three and a half weeks into the job, there's no words or do that will alter that perception."

"But what I have seen and felt in this period is that we are heading in the direction I desire us to. Positive outcomes will arrive. In the meantime it is a struggle 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 fight. I have fought for things all my life. Why must everyone want everything neatly packaged? Modern mentality today appears that, as soon as something fails, you replace it."

Accepting the challenge at Nottingham Forest

During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that a journalist might have been "a lost cause at some point but your parents didn't give up on you."

Postecoglou then restated that he had walked into the Nottingham Forest with his eyes wide open and always recognized that his effort to change the team's approach would not be easy. "I knew this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I'm unsure why people think challenges are a problem, I enjoy a test. The alternative is staying home watching games and I don't want to do that. If you guys have a lot fun around it I am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."