Ange Postecoglou makes 'love at first sight' admission ahead of Nottingham Forest home bow

Latest Nottingham Forest news as Ange Postecoglou prepares for first home game in charge of the Reds

Any love affair between Nottingham Forest fans and Ange Postecoglou might well be a slow burner, but that is perfectly fine with the Reds head coach.

Postecoglou has been in charge Trentside for little more than a fortnight. He is yet to register a win since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm, but hopes to put that right against Sunderland (5.30pm kick-off).

He knows doing so can help to win over any supporters who had doubts about him taking on the job. And after four games on the road, including Wednesday night’s Europa League opener against Real Betis, the 60-year-old is looking forward to experiencing the City Ground atmosphere from the home dugout.

Asked if he has had the opportunity to interact with many Reds supporters since his appointment, Postecoglou said: “Not a lot. There were a few I crossed paths with in Seville, which was great. I went to the service station, got some petrol and there were a couple of nice people there who said hello.

“I think with the fans, I've always had the same wherever I've been, it’s about me earning the respect and the trust. The only way I can do that is with my work.

“I don't think there are any supporters out there that don't want their team to do well. I'm sure all the supporters coming to the game want us to win and they want to get behind the team - and, in turn, get behind me.

“But I don't take that for granted. It's like the beginning of any relationship, you get to know one another. Sometimes it's love at first sight. I get the sense this isn't one of those cases, but that's okay. It doesn't mean you can't have a long relationship.

“I prefer these things to grow. I think sometimes it's also a little bit false if there's too much of a feeling they (the fans) love the manager from day one.

“I think you need to earn the love, support and trust of your supporters. That's my role and that's what hopefully I'll do over the coming period.”

Forest have shown positive signs under Postecoglou, not least in Spain in midweek. They played some terrific football, particularly in the first half, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the end.

Regardless of the result, for many supporters who travelled it was the trip of a lifetime. Having heard stories of European adventures of the past, they finally got to experience it for themselves.

“The fans were in a good mood, for sure. It was a good time to get them,” Postecoglou said of meeting some fans in Spain.

“The people who did interact more with the fans over there tell me they had a great time. They were all really well behaved. They treated the experience as you should.

“I'm sure there are stories that have come out from there and others that will never come out that they'll remember for a lifetime. That's the beauty of a European campaign. I look forward to the next one.”

On the progress his team are making, he added: “I think we're on the right track. How close we are, who knows? With every game, there's certainly more and more evidence we're heading in the direction we want to head.

“At the same time, for it to really click, you need to win; for the players to feel that, okay we're playing this way, and it's also giving us the ultimate joy of winning games of football. When that happens and they totally embrace everything you're doing, it kind of jet fuels it.

“We've been here just over two weeks and I think there's plenty of evidence there to show that the players have been receptive and we're becoming the kind of team we want to become. My role is to make sure we now get the results that will hopefully fuel the feel of growth.”

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