ANGE POSTECOGLOU was hit by a double stoppage-time sickener as Nottingham Forest crashed out of the Caraboa Cup last night.
The former Celtic boss, who saw his new side lose 3-0 at Arsenal at the weekend, was left stunned as the Midlands club threw away a two-goal interval lead to topple 3-2 at Swansea City.
Postecoglou could hardly believe what he had just witnessed after Igor Jesus had netted twice in the opening 45 minutes with the visitors looking in command against the Championship outfit who had Adam Idah making his first start since his £6million move from the Hoops.
However, the Republic of Ireland international frontman was replaced by Zan Vipotnik in the 79th minute after the Welsh club had hauled one back through a clever flick from Cameron Burgess.
STUNNED…Ange Postecoglou can’t hide his disappointment after the Caraboa Cup exit.
Slovenian hitman Vipotnik levelled in the third minute of added-on time and, remarkably, Burgess struck three minutes later with a spectacular volleyed winner for the home side with ex-Celt Darren O’Dea, appointed assistant head coach in the summer, celebrating the astonishing comeback.
A shell-shocked Postecoglou said: “I thought it was a game we should’ve killed off long before it got to the stage that it did.
“I thought we’d be comfortable and the game would finish easily. This is the nature of Cup football, when you’ve got the team where we had them you have to finish them off.
“I think the players thought it would naturally finish that way, we paid a heavy price, we have to improve.”
The Greek-Aussie gaffer, speaking to Sky Sports, continued: “They had two shots from outside the box in the first-half and they didn’t test us until right at the end.
“There were players on the pitch who needed football and were rusty. Even without that context, we should’ve ended the game.
“I’m just frustrated that we didn’t realise the danger that developed by not being more clinical with our football and killing off the game when we could’ve.”
Postecoglou added: “We don’t have time for philosophical views, the opportunity was to progress. We should’ve seen it out, we’re out of the Cup and that’s disappointing.
“There should not be any deflation in the team, there should be determination to make things right.”
Postecoglou will be hoping it’s third time lucky when Forest host Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
