Renowned former Sheffield Wednesday player and pundit, Chris Waddle, has labeled the scrutiny surrounding Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou as “farcical” considering how early it is into his tenure.
Postecoglou, who took over from Nuno as Forest’s manager just last month, has come under fire following a winless streak of seven games. The team’s recent loss to Newcastle has only added to the pressure, with Forest currently hovering just above the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Despite facing criticism from supporters, some pundits argue that it is premature to contemplate making a managerial change at this stage of the season.
Waddle acknowledges that one of the main hurdles Postecoglou must overcome is acclimating the players to his distinct style of play, although he also emphasizes the need for alternative strategies.
Describing the situation, Waddle stated, “It’s farcical. He’s come into Forest with a completely different tactical approach compared to Nuno. Nuno’s side was known for playing counterattacking football, well-structured and reliant on pacey wingers to exploit breaks.”
He continued, “Postecoglou, on the contrary, prefers an aggressive, high-pressing style. Nuno had managed to elevate several players to their peak performance levels last season, exceeding expectations. However, there are instances where a team excels for a single season before faltering the next, which seems to be the case with Forest.”
Highlighting player discontent, Waddle added, “There have been signs of unrest, with individuals seeking transfers. Morgan Gibbs-White was on the verge of joining Spurs, while Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle.”
In evaluating Postecoglou’s tactics, Waddle noted, “It is ultimately Postecoglou’s prerogative to determine the team’s approach. Forest identified qualities in him that they believed would benefit the club. His style diverges greatly from Nuno’s, as he adopts a more aggressive and attacking stance.”
Waddle stressed the challenge for Forest players in adapting to Postecoglou’s methodology, cautioning that failure to alter tactics or introduce fallback options could lead to dire consequences for the team.
While expressing doubt about a change in Postecoglou’s approach, Waddle underscored the necessity for the manager to have contingency plans in place in the form of alternative strategies to enhance the team’s performance.
