Nottingham Forest’s Carabao Cup campaign came to a disappointing end with a 3-2 defeat to Swansea City. Despite taking a 2-0 lead courtesy of Igor Jesus’ brace, Forest crumbled in the final minutes, allowing Swansea to score twice in stoppage time.
Postecoglou’s Reaction
Ange Postecoglou was visibly frustrated with his team’s performance, particularly their inability to see out the win. “I thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did,” he said. The Australian manager emphasized that his players got “comfortable” and paid the price for it. He also acknowledged the fans, clapping and pointing to himself, seemingly taking responsibility for the loss ¹ ².
Key Issues
- Complacency: Forest’s inability to kill off the game when leading 2-0 proved costly. Postecoglou noted that his players thought the win would come naturally, but Swansea’s fightback showed that no game is won until the final whistle.
- Defensive Vulnerability: Forest have now conceded three goals in each of their last two games under Postecoglou, raising concerns about their defensive solidity.
- Mentality: The team’s mentality has been questioned, with Postecoglou suggesting that some players need to improve their mindset ³ ⁴.
Upcoming Challenges
Forest faces a tough schedule in the coming weeks, with matches against Burnley, Sunderland, and Real Betis in the Europa League. A win against Burnley is crucial to avoid further criticism and climb the table ⁵.
