JuicyTalk
Ange Postecoglou was serenaded with chants of “your getting sacked in the morning” by the Nottingham Forest fans as his side crashed to defeat against Midtjylland in the Europa League tonight.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo and replace him with Postecoglou is threatening to turn sour with the Australian’s winless run in charge now up to six games and with the home fans starting to revolt.
Forest were made to pay for some lax first-half defending that saw Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech score from set-pieces either side of a Dan Ndoye goal for the hosts.
The home side poured forward in search of a late equaliser – Chris Wood twice denied goals by the offside flag – but were left exposed at the back and Valdemar Andreasen made them pay to cap a superb display from the Danish side.
Wood did pull one back from the penalty spot but it was too late.
Sloppy Forest made to pay
Forest’s first-half progress was disrupted by some slack defending which saw them concede twice.
The hosts started well with Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi creating space but then missing the target with long-range efforts.
But they gifted Midtjylland the lead after 18 minutes. A free-kick was pumped into the box, the Forest defence failed to clear and Diao was on hand to guide home Bech’s flick-on.
The goal at least sparked Forest into life and Elias Olafsson had to produce a superb save to keep out Ndoye’s shot. From the resulting corner, the Midtjylland goalkeeper had to be alert to tip over Nikola Milenkovic’s poked effort.
The equaliser did arrive, though, after 22 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White sent a low ball into the box and Ndoye reacted well to hook it home.
Forest lost at home to Sunderland on Saturday – Omar Alderete netting for the visitors – and they conceded their third goal from a set-piece in two games after 24 minutes.
A left-wing corner was flicked on by Philip Billing and although Martin Erlic’s header was saved the ball fell for Bech to fire home.
It should have been 3-1 after 33 minutes but Diao headed wide when unmarked from a corner.
Postecoglou irritated by the Danes’ strong-arm tactics
Midtjylland were getting increasingly physical as the second half developed, much to the frustration of Postecoglou who remonstrated repeatedly with the referee.
As they did at the weekend, Forest came out with more energy after the break but they were still finding it tough to create clear-cut chances.
Ibrahim Sangare shot wide from 25 yards and substitute Nicola Savona, on for the injured Murillo, also placed an effort off target.
Postecoglou replaced Igor Jesus with Wood and the veteran New Zealander almost made an immediate impact only for his close-range effort to be ruled out for offside.
Wood was denied by the offside flag once again two minutes later after running on to Sangare’s pass and slotting home.
Having ridden their luck, Midtjylland scored with their only shot on target in the second half. Dario Osorio sent the ball through for Andreasen to run on to and fire home.
Postecoglou stood motionless with his hands on his head as the Forest fans vented their anger.
There was still time for Wood to score from the spot after a foul on Anderson by Diao but it counted for little.
