By Sean Kearns

Copyright bbc

It has been a tense 24 hours at the City Ground and Postecoglou’s press conference felt somewhat therapeutic.

The manager did not change his low tone of voice, but came across considered and even philosophical during his 30 minutes with the media.

Postecoglou spoke well, outlined why he felt Forest had failed to win any of his six games so far, all the while underlining the need to win before Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.

Under pressure towards the end of his Tottenham reign he often shot back at the press.

In May, he angrily dismissed a suggestion he was a clown, referencing a report which said he was “teetering between hero and clown” before the Europa League final.

That was perhaps because he knew he was leaving, but he is not at that combative stage in the Midlands.

There was an understanding of some of the questions about his future and any potential talks with owner Evangelos Marinakis, even if he is just 24 days into his reign.

Despite the defeat by Midtjylland, he feels the pressure to win games rather than win over supporters.

The strength his predecessor Nuno and, before him, Steve Cooper had was their connection with supporters.

Nuno had to win that trust following scepticism of his appointment in December 2023 after Cooper led Forest back to the Premier League.

Postecoglou started with negative equity, which has already diminished, having never been a favoured appointment of the fans, but the 60-year-old feels victories will appease the doubters.

There has been no whirlwind blowing through the City Ground despite the frustrations.

There is internal sympathy – combined with realism – that other games could have had different outcomes had it not been for individual errors, injuries or loss of form.

Striker Chris Wood, who has not scored in the league since the opening day, has missed chances he would have scored in his sleep last season, while injuries to Murillo and Ola Aina have unsettled the defence.

It is a sign of the times – at both clubs – that Forest’s most appealing forthcoming fixture appears to be the visit of Manchester United on Saturday, 1 November.

Before then, they travel to St James’ Park on Saturday and host Chelsea on 18 October.

The visit of Porto – who have won all of their nine games this season – in the Europa League follows, with a trip to Bournemouth completing a testing October.