'Seven days ago, their world was totally different' - Ange Postecoglou blames 'disruptive week' for defeat to Arsenal in first Nottingham Forest game

The 60-year-old manager had little time to prepare his players. He took over the job on Tuesday after Forest parted company with Nuno Esprito Santo after an alleged schism with owner Evangelos Marinakis. Postecoglou acknowledged that upheaval, saying "seven days ago their world was totally different". 

Despite mounting that defence of his new charges, the Australian coach admitted he has to make an impact in a short period of time. Forest have a crowded schedule in the coming weeks, as they compete across the EFL Cup, Premier League and Europa League. Postecoglou said he will have influenced the team's style of play by Wednesday, when Forest take on Swansea. 

Postecoglou said: "It is no secret it has been a very disruptive week for the players. Seven days ago their world was totally different from what it is today and you've got to understand that, I certainly do.

"I can't fault the players endeavour and effort. I thought we hung in there, we never really had control of the game at any point but we worked really hard in the first half and there were small seeds towards the end of the first half of us maybe being able to cause them some problems but the second goal straight after half-time killed the game.

"You can't accept defeat and you've got to be disappointed by it but in the context of what the week has been like, I can't fault the players in terms of what they were trying to do."

When asked about how long it would take to mould the team in his image, he added: "It won't be months, it won't be weeks, it'll be Wednesday.

"I can't afford to waste time. This is not a project. This football club had a strong season last year, needs to be stronger this year and my job is to get us where I want us as quickly as possible.

"So by Wednesday night we will start seeing some real principles being embedded. It won't take long and I am not going to let it take long. I'll make sure we turn it around because we have got an unbelievable opportunity this year to make an impact and I'm not going to let that slip."

Postecoglou will have to wait a couple of weeks before he can acquaint himself with the City Ground faithful. Forest travel to Swansea on Wednesday for a third round EFL cup tie, head off to Burnley for a Premier League tilt on September 20, before flying off to the south of Spain for a tricky Europa League assignment against Real Betis on September 24. The Australian coach will have to hit the ground running to make Forest fans forget about the departing Nuno.