'Frustrated' Ange Postecoglou blames Nottingham Forest players for not killing off Championship side Swansea after embarrassing Carabao Cup exit as familiar problems haunt ex-Tottenham boss

Postecoglou is still waiting on his first victory as Forest boss, with losses being suffered in his opening two games at the helm. He was thrown in at the deep end ahead of a Premier League trip to Arsenal, but was expecting more from his squad at Swansea.

Two first half goals from Igor Jesus had Forest in complete control of their latest fixture but, after squandering a number of other decent opportunities, they crumbled in the closing stages as a flurry of substitutions broke their momentum and caused confusion.

Zan Vioptnik levelled matters in the 93rd minute, before Cameron Burgess’ second goal of the game completed a remarkable turnaround for the Swans in the seventh minute of added time. Former Tottenham boss Postecoglou, who struggled to keep clean sheets and pick up positive results during his time in north London, was left fuming at the final whistle.

The Australian tactician, who pointed the finger of blame at those out on the field, told Sky Sports: “It was a game we really should have killed off, long before it got to the stage it did. I sensed we were getting a bit comfortable and thought the game would finish off easily, but that is not what happened, that’s cup football. I thought we scored a good third goal which was disallowed and I think the lads got comfortable in that moment.

“You know the warning signs, especially in cup football, if you let the opposition in there is always a chance they could do what they did to us. I am frustrated we did not realise the danger that could have developed by not being more clinical in our football and killing off the opponent when we should have.

“We don’t have time for philosophical views, there was an opportunity today to progress to the next round of the cup, we were in a great position. We should have seen it out and got through, that is the disappointing thing.”

Postecoglou, who has opened his Forest reign with back-to-back away games, has two more road tests approaching. The first of those will see Burnley faced in the Premier League on Saturday, before the Reds kick off their first continental campaign in 30 years with a Europa League trip to Real Betis.