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Forest's manager strode towards the tunnel with a puzzled expression, his eyes downcast. After seven games in charge with no victories, his immediate future seemed as uncertain as thick mist over the river.

While the home side were not at their best form, late strikes from the Brazilian midfielder and the German striker—Woltemade's from the penalty spot—ultimately earned them a much-needed another Premier League win of the season.

From the start, Postecoglou's insulated anorak wrapped him similar to a blanket, but his restless gestures indicated it provided little comfort.

No coat could protect Postecoglou from the fear that his victory-less beginning at Forest—taking over as the first coach in a century without a win in his first half-dozen games—would continue before a possible sacking over the international break.

However, his team did not do too badly during a tight at the back opening period.

Although the young midfielder at times outshone even the Italian star in midfield, reminding everyone why Eddie Howe was so reluctant to sell the academy product, Nikola Milenkovic marked Woltemade effectively, and the winger caused the full-back problems on the flank.

In fairness to Woltemade, who got little service to his feet or head, his team's creative department lacked fluidity.

Admittedly, it took a superb fingertip save from the Forest goalkeeper—a former Newcastle goalkeeper—to keep out Joelinton effort, and the midfielder failed to convert a few opportunities, but overall, the visitors' defending was much improved.

Given it is barely a few weeks since Postecoglou succeeded his predecessor and games have come in quick succession, with precious little time to implement his theories on the training ground, all the talk of an looming sack seemed faintly ridiculous.

Or at least it did until the midfielder lifted a effort over Sels and into the top corner from the edge of the box.

It left Postecoglou shaking his head in clear despair, wearing the anguished look of a man who had misplaced his keys.

His players complained about a possible foul on Morgan Gibbs-White by the scorer in the lead-up, but their appeals were ignored by the officials.

As the Italian now dominant in the middle, the youngster was not the sole visiting player struggling to make an impact.

By now, the coach had removed his anorak and pushed up the sleeves of his sweater. With his team seldom looking capable of finding the net and the hosts threatening to shred their earlier improved defensive organisation, he was clearly feeling the heat.

It took a further fine save from the goalkeeper to deny the midfielder's volleyed attempt, before the resultant corner led to the striker's half-volley hitting the underside of the bar.

The keeper then made an excellent two quick stops from the defender and the winger before finally being beaten again from the penalty spot by Woltemade.

The penalty was awarded when the midfielder's mistimed challenge sent the Brazilian crashing down.

Up stepped, the German striker to confound Sels by chipping a rather bold spot-kick into the upper left side.

That marked his 4th strike for the club since his £70m transfer from Stuttgart in the summer, contradicting comments from senior figures at Bayern Munich that the Magpies were “idiots” to pay so heavily for the striker.

It wasn't Woltemade's best performance in Newcastle colors, but his ability to hold the ball up and use his adhesive control to link play is already well on the way to a fan favorite on Tyneside.