Ange Postecoglou, merely 24 days into his role as Nottingham Forest manager, is under significant pressure and reportedly fears being sacked, having failed to secure a single victory since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo. His tenure began in September, and he has overseen a challenging period with six matches played without a win.

The latest setback for the Australian manager occurred during the Europa League clash against Midtjylland, where Forest suffered a 3-2 defeat at home. This loss reportedly left owner Evangelos Marinakis visibly displeased, and sections of the home support expressed their frustration with boos and chants for the manager's dismissal. Postecoglou has the dubious distinction of being the first Forest boss in a century to go winless in his opening six fixtures, a stark indicator of the club's current predicament.

While Postecoglou publicly maintains he is not contemplating an exit, sources close to the situation, including SunSport, suggest he fears dismissal for a second time in four months should Forest succumb to Newcastle this weekend. He was previously sacked by Tottenham in June, shortly after leading them to Europa League glory. Marinakis, known for his willingness to make managerial changes, is reportedly considering another shift at the helm, especially following defeats to Arsenal, Swansea, and Sunderland in September, alongside draws against Burnley and Real Betis.

Despite the intensifying scrutiny, BBC Sport understands that Postecoglou still retains the immediate support of the Nottingham Forest hierarchy. There's a belief within the club that a combination of mitigating circumstances, including what some perceive as unfair refereeing decisions in the Midtjylland game, have contributed to the poor start. However, there is a clear consensus that Sunday's fixture against Newcastle United at St James' Park will be a crucial indicator of Postecoglou's future at the club.

Postecoglou, addressing the pressure, stated on Friday, "It's a valid assumption in modern football there's always a manager under pressure, that's part and parcel of what we do." He added, "I don't think that way. I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham three or four months before I did. It didn't stop me winning something. It doesn't enter my head. If I start worrying about what's going to happen next week, I'm not performing the role I've been given." He remains confident in his approach, asserting, "The things I control are the environment training, the way we play. I am strong in my belief we are not too far away."

The match against Eddie Howe's Newcastle side, who themselves sit 15th in the Premier League despite a recent 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise, represents a significant opportunity. While the result is paramount, the manner of Forest's performance will be equally vital. A heavy defeat could escalate internal scrutiny on Postecoglou, particularly with the international break looming. Postecoglou views the game as "a great opportunity" to give everyone a lift and bolster belief, acknowledging it will be a "tough game" in front of a vociferous home crowd but looking forward to the "exciting fixture."