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The Australian manager is determined to persuade the club's directors to keep confidence in his coaching approach when he meets with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis this week.

Defiant Forest boss sees positive indicators during poor results

The Australian was in unbowed, almost jocular mood after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It extended his winless streak to seven games since he replaced Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet the experienced coach, who unusually started with a back five, detected signs of improvement as he gets ready for vital talks with City Ground directors.

"Yes, this is hopeless," he said, sarcastically. "I see it as an exciting opportunity. You have to be ready for the fight and the challenge. It would be foolish to be in this position at the age of 60 if I was without self-belief or determination. Back in the playground I chose battles with people that defeated me."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Warming to his theme, the Forest manager lightly teased the pantomime of English top division that almost demands that at least one manager is always deemed 'under pressure'. "I understand that this is part of the fanfare of the Premier League that it needs a coach to be in the spotlight. Should individuals wish to evaluate my work three and a half weeks into the job, there's nothing I can say or do that will change that."

"But what I have seen and felt in this period is that we are moving in the direction I want us to. Positive outcomes will come. For now it is a struggle and a contest and there is nothing wrong with that. We don't have things provided easily on a plate in existence, we have to work hard. I have fought for things throughout my career. Why does everyone want everything perfectly arranged? Modern mentality nowadays seems to be that, as soon as something fails, you change it."

Embracing the test at the club

During the lighthearted exchange, he suggested that a journalist might have been "hopeless at certain time but your family didn't give up on you."

Postecoglou then reiterated that he had joined the City Ground with his full awareness and always understood that his effort to change the team's approach would not be easy. "I was aware this was a significant test," he said. "This isn't bad with that. I don't know why people think challenges are a problem, I enjoy a challenge. The other option is staying home watching games and I prefer not to do that. Should journalists have a lot fun around it I don't care. It doesn't bother me."