Postecoglou certain Forest results will turn as winless start continues

Ange Postecoglou has no doubt that Nottingham Forest’s results will turn, despite his winless start at the helm continuing with Wednesday’s Europa League draw with Real Betis.

Forest’s first match in Europe for 30 years ended all square, as former Manchester United winger Antony scored a late equaliser after Igor Julio’s first-half brace put Forest 2-1 up.

Postecoglou is the first manager to fail to win any of his first four matches in charge of Forest since Paul Williams in April 2016, and the first permanent manager to do so since Billy Walker in August 1946.

But the former Tottenham boss – who won this competition last term – believes his team deserved more at the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.

Forest had 16 shots, six of which hit the target, with a total expected goals (xG) value of 2.78, while Betis had nine attempts worth 0.5 xG.

“I’m hugely disappointed for the players and supporters. In the past three games we haven’t got what we deserved,” Postecoglou told BBC Radio Nottingham.

“We were outstanding in the first half, we really should have had the game done and dusted there. In the second half, we allowed them to have the ball but we never felt threatened.

“I would love the players to get the reward for their efforts. We moved the ball round, we were compact and we created high-quality chances. There won’t be many teams that come here and do that.

“My job is to make sure the players keep their heads up and don’t lose heart. I firmly believe results will come.

“People don’t realise how energy-sapping [the conditions] are, even the pitch is quite big. I think we handled it awfully well.”

Forest are next in action against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, before they welcome Midtjylland – who beat Sturm Graz 2-0 on Wednesday – to the City Ground in their second Europa League game next week.