There were easier locations for Ange Postecoglou to travel for the first game in which he could be fully judged as Nottingham Forest’s manager than Burnley on an afternoon of biblical rain.
His side went ahead in 98 seconds and glittered for 45 minutes. Then the going got tough.
Daily Mail Sport looks through the main talking points from the 1-1 draw Turf Moor.
The new Forest
Forest’s metamorphosis from a side of three highly disciplined lines to a free-flowing creative Ange-ball side was instantaneous.
Postecoglou has given his players new license to advance. So, we had Oleksandr Zinchenko marauding up into Burnley’s box, with an effort from 20 yards to draw a sharp save, and centre-half Nikola Milenkovic executing a give-and-go to send Chris Wood through on goal. Unheard of under Nuno.
The match data reveals the changing face of Forest: 24 ten-pass sequences in open play – double the number in the 3-1 win over Brentford in August. Ten per cent more possession than in that game. And 36 long passes, compared with 54 against Brentford. It was right wing back Neco Williams who sent them ahead, fastening on to a Douglas Luiz corner. But Forest couldn’t maintain the fizz of their first half performance.
Ange Postecoglou has made his mark on Nottingham Forest already
Oleksandr Zinchenko marauding into Burnley’s box was something you wouldn’t have seen under Nuno Espirito Santo
A sodden Turf Moor was far from an easy place for Forest and Postecoglou to go
Defensive consequences
The pay-off for the self-expression was a defensive vulnerability, which was so common at Postecoglou’s Spurs.
Zinchenko was at fault for Burnley’s equaliser – bullied in an aerial challenge with Loum Tchaouna and hooking the resulting scuffed effort by Jaidon Anthony into his own net.
Burnley crosses flew across the face of the Forest box and Tchaouna struck the under-side of the bar with a free kick. Milenkovic held the defensive structure together. Centre half Morato looked like the weak link, just as he did in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Murillo’s return from injury is needed. Postecoglou said he is close to returning.
Douglas delivers
Nuno’s sniffiness about the loan signing of Douglas Luiz – not his own choice – contributed to him being sacked.
Postecoglou gave the Brazilian his Premier League debut and for 45 minutes the player made a mockery of Nuno’s indifference. Luiz, superb against Swansea in midweek, orchestrated things in midfield, pointing out at times where others should go to receive his passes, and was at the axis of a beautiful move which brought a fine save from Martin Dubravka. The decision to start with Zinchenko for the first time was also vindicated. But neither maintained their first-half level.
Douglas Luiz was impressive at Turf Moor after a promising display in midweek
The pay-off for the self-expression was a defensive vulnerability, which was so common at Postecoglou’s Spurs
Burnley on the up
This Burnley side look far better equipped to survive than Vincent Kompany’s team of two seasons back.
Tchaouna, the France youth international signed from Lazio, was impressive and Anthony’s equaliser underlined his excellent start to the season.
There’s also a solid defensive structure underpinned by a superb goalkeeper. The game hinged on two brilliant saves in the space of five by Dubravka – first clawing away a header by Igor Jesus, then pushing away a Neco Williams shot. Kyle Walker, who ought to be captain, delivered an immense work rate.
Postecoglou’s happy face
There were challenges in Postecoglou’s post-match press conferences.
The commentary of the Manchester United/Chelsea game suddenly drowned him out and no one could find the off button. But he carried on with good humour amid the din, making it clear he was happy with early signs of a Forest ‘Angeball.’
Burnley however are certainly on the up under Scott Parker
The Clarets look far better equipped to survive than Vincent Kompany’s team of two seasons back
’There was clear focus on what our principles are,’ he said. ‘The way are working with the ball. Without the ball. I felt they were my team now. The team I want us to be.’
It was the 21st anniversary of Brian Clough’s death on Saturday. Clough would have been happy with the aesthetic of Forest’s first half, at least.
