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The Australian manager is determined to convince Nottingham Forest’s board to retain faith in his coaching approach when he holds talks with the team's principal Evangelos Marinakis this week.

Defiant Postecoglou sees positive indicators amid winless run

The Australian was in unbowed, nearly humorous mood after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. It extended his run without a win to seven matches since he succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo last month. Yet Postecoglou, who unusually started with a back five, identified indications of improvement as he prepares for vital talks with City Ground directors.

"Indeed, it’s a lost cause," he said, sarcastically. "I view this as an exciting opportunity. One must be up for the battle and the challenge. I’d be silly to be sitting here at the age of 60 if I lacked self-belief or fight. Back in the schoolyard I picked fights with people that defeated me."

Premier League theater gently mocked

Expanding on his point, the Forest manager lightly teased the pantomime of English top division that almost demands that at least one manager is always deemed 'in trouble'. "I get that this is part of the fanfare of the top division that it requires a coach to be in the spotlight. Should individuals wish to assess me three and a half weeks into the job, there's nothing I can say or do that will alter that perception."

"However my observations and felt in this period is that we are heading in the path I want us to. Positive outcomes will come. In the meantime it is a struggle and a fight and there is no issue with that. Life doesn't give things provided easily without effort in life, we have to work hard. I've struggled for things throughout my career. Why must everyone want everything neatly packaged? The attitude nowadays appears that, as quickly as something fails, you replace it."

Embracing the challenge at Nottingham Forest

During the lighthearted exchange, he implied that one reporter might have been "a lost cause at certain time but your family didn't give up on you."

Postecoglou then restated that he had walked into the Nottingham Forest with his full awareness and always understood that his attempt to alter the team's approach would not be easy. "I knew this was a big challenge," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why people think difficulties 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 am unconcerned. I couldn't care less."