Nottingham Forest legend Des Walker has raised concerns about Ange Postecoglou’s ability to survive the early pressure at the City Ground, after the Australian lost his first two matches in charge. Speaking on The Overlap, the former England defender said the change from Nuno Espirito Santo’s counter-attacking football to Postecoglou’s possession-based style is so stark that it could take “a long while” to bed in — time he fears the fans may not allow.
Walker, who came through the ranks at Forest in 1980 and went on to play over 300 games for the club across two spells, admitted he was surprised by Evangelos Marinakis’ decision to part with Nuno. The Portuguese coach kept Forest stable in the Premier League, but the chairman opted for a bold shift in direction by appointing Postecoglou.
“It’s a shame really because they’ve stabilised themselves,” Walker said. “To sack Nuno is brave. Once fans have had that smell of success, if it doesn’t happen again they can be very critical.”
A clash of footballing philosophies
Postecoglou’s record at [Tottenham] and [Celtic] showed his commitment to attacking football, high pressing, and dominance in possession. That approach is a far cry from Nuno’s pragmatic, counter-attacking setup that often saw Forest thrive with minimal possession.
Walker highlighted the contrast:
“You’ve got one that just played purely off the break and with less possession probably than most teams. Then Postecoglou’s come in… he’s got a completely different style. It takes a while to change from one style to another, a long while to be fair.” — Des Walker, The Overlap
The Forest legend added that negativity from the crowd could make the transition even tougher. While praising supporters for their passion over the last three years, Walker said he has also seen how quickly things can turn if performances don’t match expectations.
Nottingham Forest under Postecoglou so far
| Stat (2025/26 Premier League) | Forest under Postecoglou |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 2 |
| Results | 0W – 0D – 2L |
| Goals Scored | 2 |
| Goals Conceded | 5 |
source: Premier League records – 17 September 2025
It is still early days, but defeats in the opening fixtures underline how difficult the shift in style may be. With fixtures against [Burnley] and [Sunderland] coming up, Postecoglou faces a tough test to find results while implementing his philosophy.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Walker’s concerns are valid but sees potential:
“Ange Postecoglou’s football demands bravery and patience. Forest fans are used to resilience and counter-attacks; now they’re being asked to buy into a completely different philosophy. Des Walker is right that it takes time, but whether the Premier League affords that time is the real issue. If Forest can weather the early storm, they could evolve into a far more dangerous and entertaining side.”
Key Insights
- Des Walker calls Marinakis’ decision to sack Nuno “brave.”
- Postecoglou lost his first two games as Forest manager.
- Forest shifting from counter-attacking football to possession-based style.
- Walker warns fans’ patience may run out quickly.
- Early fixtures against Burnley and Sunderland will be crucial.
What’s Next for Forest and Postecoglou?
The next two to three weeks could prove pivotal. If Forest continue to struggle, questions will grow louder about whether Marinakis acted too hastily in replacing Nuno. Conversely, a positive result could buy Postecoglou crucial breathing space.
The Australian has succeeded before by sticking to his principles despite early criticism. Whether Forest fans and ownership allow him the same luxury of time may determine how his City Ground reign is remembered.
👉 Do you think Nottingham Forest should give Ange Postecoglou time to implement his philosophy, or is the Premier League too ruthless for long-term projects?
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