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The Australian manager is set to convince Nottingham Forest’s board to retain faith in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis this week.

Defiant Postecoglou detects positive indicators during winless run

The Australian was in unbowed, almost jocular form after the weekend loss at Newcastle. It extended his run without a win to seven games since he succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo recently. Yet the experienced coach, who surprisingly started with a five-man defense, identified indications of improvement as he gets ready for crucial discussions with club officials.

"Indeed, this is hopeless," he said, with irony. "I see it as an thrilling chance. One must be up for the battle and the challenge. It would be foolish to be in this position at the age of 60 if I was without confidence or fight. Back in the schoolyard I chose battles with people that beat me up."

Top flight theater gently mocked

Expanding on his point, the Forest manager lightly teased the drama of English top division that almost demands that at least one manager is always considered 'under pressure'. "I understand that it’s part of the spectacle of the Premier League that it requires a coach to be in the limelight. Should individuals wish to assess me three and a half weeks into the job, there's no words or do that will change that."

"But what I have seen and felt in this timeframe is that we are heading in the direction I want us to. Positive outcomes will come. In the meantime it is a battle and a contest and there is nothing wrong with that. Life doesn't give things provided easily without effort in existence, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why does everyone want everything neatly packaged? Modern mentality today seems to be that, as quickly as something fails, you replace it."

Embracing the challenge at the club

During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause at certain time but your family persevered on you."

The manager then reiterated that he had joined the Nottingham Forest with his full awareness and always understood that his attempt to change Forest’s playing style would not be straightforward. "I was aware this was a significant test," he said. "This isn't bad with that. I'm unsure why people think challenges are a problem, I enjoy a test. The alternative is sitting at 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."