Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has urged everyone to “trust the process” as he continues to search for a first win in charge.
Forest host Danish outfit Midtjylland on Thursday night as European football returns to the City Ground after an absence of almost 30 years.
Former Celtic and Tottenham boss Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the start of September, but so far has failed to find a successful formula.
After losing his opening match 3-0 away to Arsenal, Forest suffered a shock Carabao Cup defeat at Swansea – where they had been leading 2-0.
Draws followed at Burnley and then away to Real Betis in their first Europa League fixture before being beaten 1-0 at home by newly-promoted Sunderland last weekend.
However, Postecoglou – who won the Europa League with Spurs last season before being sacked just 16 days later – maintains positive results will come.
“It is only natural that everyone associated with the club wants to win games,” Postecoglou said at a press conference.
“When we’ve been on a run like ours, where we haven’t won in a little while, then that kind of becomes a little more prevalent in people’s minds and all the discussions they have.
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“But at the same time, I still get a sense that the whole group sees that we are making progress.
“We’ve just got to trust in that process and the results will come.”
Postecoglou added: “Since I have come in, we are obviously doing things differently, that is quite obvious to everyone, and the players have bought into it – but I want them to get the rewards of it as well.
“When you don’t sort of get over the line, even though the belief is still there, they don’t get that reward and enjoyment that is required to continue that.
“But there is only one way to fix that, and I don’t think it is going away from what we are doing, that’s for sure.
“We’ve just got to keep doing what we are doing, and I am really confident that results will come.”
Forest will check on Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was not training with the rest of the squad on Wednesday as he manages a minor groin issue. Brazilian defender Murillo is expected to be available after stepping up his recovery from a thigh injury.
Postecoglou faced Midtjylland in Europe during his time with Celtic and maintains every team presents their own difficulties.
“European competition you need to treat as a standalone sort of tournament because it challenges you in different ways,” the Forest boss said.
“You meet opponents that you don’t really know very well or players and styles that you potentially are not familiar with.
“If you are dismissive of that and just assume that because they don’t play the same competition as yourself that they are somehow inferior, then you fall into a trap.”
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