The Magpies' Guimarães Adds to Ange Postecoglou's Deepening Troubles at Nottingham Forest

Ange Postecoglou strode for the tunnel scratching his head, gaze fixed on the ground. After 7 matches as manager with no victories, his prospects looked as murky as a fog on the Tyne.

While Newcastle were not at their ferocious form, second-half strikes from Bruno Guimarães and the German striker—Woltemade's from the penalty spot—eventually earned 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 the Australian's agitated body language suggested it offered no solace.

No jacket could protect him from the fear that his winless start by the Trent—taking over as the only manager in 100 years without a win in his opening six fixtures—would extend ahead of a likely dismissal during the upcoming pause.

However, his team did not do too badly during a tight at the back first half.

Although the young midfielder at times upstaged even Sandro Tonali in the center, showing everyone why the Newcastle boss was so reluctant to sell the academy product, the defender contained Woltemade out of the game, and the winger gave Dan Burn difficulties down the home left.

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

Admittedly, it took a superb fingertip save from the Forest goalkeeper—ex- Magpies shot-stopper—to keep out Joelinton effort, and the player missed a few other chances, but overall, Forest's defense was significantly better.

Considering it is only a month since Postecoglou replaced his predecessor and games have come in quick succession, with minimal time to put into practice his theories on the training ground, all the speculation of an looming sack seemed faintly premature.

Or at least it did until Guimarães lifted a effort past Sels and into the upper net from just outside the area.

It left Postecoglou looking dismayed in apparent frustration, wearing the anguished look of a man who had just lost his house keys.

The Forest squad complained about a perceived infraction on Morgan Gibbs-White by Guimarães in the lead-up, but their appeals fell on deaf ears by the officials.

As the Italian now ascendant in the middle, Anderson was not the only visiting player struggling to make an impact.

At this point, Postecoglou had removed his anorak and rolled up the sleeves of his sweater. As Forest seldom looking likely of scoring and Newcastle looking to break down their earlier improved backline, he was obviously under pressure.

It took a further fine stop from the goalkeeper to deny the midfielder's volleyed cross-shot, before the resultant corner prefaced the striker's half-volley hitting the bottom of the bar.

Sels then made an excellent double save from the defender and the winger before finally being beaten by a penalty by the German.

That spot-kick was awarded when the midfielder's poorly timed tackle brought Guimarães crashing to the ground.

Stepping up, the Germany forward to confound Sels by chipping a rather bold spot-kick into the upper left side.

It was his 4th goal for the club since his £70m move from Stuttgart in August, contradicting comments from officials at the German giants that Newcastle were “foolish” to spend so much for the centre-forward.

This may not have been his finest performance in black and white, but his ability to hold the ball up and use his adhesive touch to link play is already making him a cult hero on in Newcastle.

Zachary Lester
Zachary Lester

Urban planner and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable development and community engagement.