The Magpies' Bruno Guimarães Compounds Ange Postecoglou's Deepening Troubles at Nottingham Forest

Forest's manager headed towards the exit with a puzzled expression, gaze fixed on the ground. Following 7 matches as manager with zero wins, his immediate future looked as uncertain as a fog on the Tyne.

While the home side were not at their best form, late goals from Bruno Guimarães and Nick Woltemade—the latter from the penalty spot—eventually secured them a much-needed second Premier League win of the season.

At kick-off, Postecoglou's padded jacket wrapped him similar to a blanket, but his restless body language suggested it provided no solace.

No coat could protect Postecoglou from the fear that his victory-less beginning by the Trent—taking over as the only coach in a century to go winless in his opening six fixtures—would extend ahead of a possible dismissal during the international break.

However, his side performed reasonably well during a tight at the back first half.

Although Elliot Anderson on occasion outshone even Sandro Tonali in midfield, showing everyone why the Newcastle boss was so reluctant to let go of the academy product, Nikola Milenkovic contained Woltemade effectively, and Nicolò Savona caused Dan Burn problems on the flank.

Credit to Woltemade, who got little service to his feet or head, his team's attacking play lacked fluidity.

True, it took a fine stop from Matt Sels—ex- Newcastle goalkeeper—to deny the Brazilian's header, and the player missed a couple other chances, but overall, the visitors' defending was significantly better.

Considering it is barely a month since Postecoglou succeeded his predecessor and games have come in quick succession, with minimal time to implement his ideas on the practice field, all the speculation of an looming dismissal seemed somewhat ridiculous.

Or at least it did until Guimarães curled a right-foot shot over the keeper and into the upper net from the edge of the box.

It left the manager looking dismayed in clear frustration, wearing the anguished look of a man who had misplaced his keys.

His players protested about a possible infraction on their playmaker by Guimarães in the lead-up, but their protests fell on deaf ears by the referee.

With the Italian now ascendant in the middle, the youngster was not the sole visiting player struggling to make an impact.

By now, the coach had removed his anorak and rolled up the arms of his jumper. As his team rarely looking likely of scoring and the hosts threatening to break down their previously much-enhanced backline, he was clearly under pressure.

There was another fine save from the goalkeeper to keep out Tonali's driven cross-shot, before the resultant set-piece led to the striker's shot hitting the underside of the bar.

Sels then made an excellent two quick stops from the defender and Harvey Barnes before finally being beaten from the penalty spot by the German.

The penalty was given when Anderson's mistimed tackle brought the Brazilian crashing to the ground.

Up stepped, the Germany striker to beat the goalie by chipping a quite audacious penalty into the upper left side.

It was his 4th goal for the club since his £70m move from the German side in the summer, contradicting comments from senior figures at the German giants that Newcastle were “idiots” to spend so heavily for the centre-forward.

This may not have been his finest game in Newcastle colors, but his skill to retain possession and use his sticky touch to link play is already well on the way to a fan favorite on in Newcastle.

Steve Miller
Steve Miller

A passionate traveler and writer sharing experiences from journeys across the UK and beyond.