Jamie Carragher: Ange Postecoglou ‘must fix’ one problem at Nottingham Forest that haunted him at Tottenham
Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou needs to address one issue which could impact his tenure at the City Ground.
Following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure, Nottingham Forest announced Postecoglou as their new manager just hours later.
Postecoglou won the Europa League trophy at Spurs last season but was sacked following a 17th placed Premier League finish.
Nottingham Forest lost 3-0 to West Ham in Nuno’s final game in charge, leaving the club 10th in the Premier League table ahead of Postecoglou’s first match at the helm against Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest’s fortunes could change in one key area
The change in management from Nuno to Postecoglou is expected to come with a huge shift in styles of play.
Postecoglou’s attacking style has been criticised with concerns over the amount of the injuries it contributed to at Spurs.
As per The Telegraph [12 September], Jamie Carragher believes Postecoglou’s style creates an “issue.”
“The change in style will lead to greater focus on the demands on the players, too,” Carragher said.
“Nuno’s Forest enjoyed one of the best injury records in the Premier League last season, the combined games missed by his players amounting to 77 fixtures.
“At Spurs, the same figure was 193. That’s a reflection of greater intensity in training and on match days, players naturally having to run more when attacking and chasing back than playing counter-attack with low-block defending.
“It is an issue Postecoglou must fix to prevent a repeat of the same issues he felt undermined his Spurs reign.”
Postecoglou has already been dealt an injury blow with full-back Ola Aina facing up to three months out injured.
Ange Postecoglou under scrutiny
With four away games on the bounce, Postecoglou will have to wait for his first match at the City Ground until the end of September.
Matches against Swansea in the League Cup and Burnley in the Premier League could offer chances for Postecoglou to test out his style with his new squad.
| Ange Postecoglou | Stats |
| Games Managed | 101 |
| Games Won | 47 |
| Games Drawn | 15 |
| Games Lost | 39 |
Arsenal away though promises to be one of the toughest opening assignments the former Spurs boss could have drawn.
Aina’s absence is a blow considering the lack of options at full-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko unable to face his parent club.
Injuries were common for Postecoglou at Spurs, and he never once changed the way he played in the league to adjust to the changing circumstances.
That accumulated in 65 goals being conceded at Spurs last season, something he must learn from as he becomes Nottingham Forest manager.