Postecoglou is yet to win any of his first seven games across all competitions since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming the first Forest boss to achieve the feat since 1925. 

Those run of results have left Forest in a precarious position in the early-season standings, with the team occupying 17th place and just one point above the bottom three. 

Should the Australian get his first win on the board, he may have a tough task against Chelsea, given he lost all four of his top-flight meetings against them during his time at Tottenham. 

The only managers to lose each of their first five games against Chelsea in the competition are Rafael Benítez, Mick McCarthy, Tony Pulis, and Owen Coyle.

"If people want to make an assessment after three and a half weeks, after we have had seven games, there's nothing I can do about that," Postecoglou said.

"At the same time, there's nothing wrong with things being tough. I did have an option – I could have been sitting on the couch watching the game and not be in the middle of it.

"I'd much rather be here. I love a fight. What I have seen and felt in this period is that we are heading in the direction I want us to. The results will come.

"In the meantime, it is a struggle and a fight and there is nothing wrong with that. We don't want things handed on a plate. We have to fight for them.

"I have fought for things all my life."

But Postecoglou's hopes of a victory have been given a boost ahead of facing Chelsea, with the Blues' already depleted squad suffering more injuries in the international break. 

Cole Palmer, Andrey Santos and Tosin Adarabioyo are all out, while Reece James pulled out of the recent England squad with a problem picked up against Liverpool.

Chelsea could also be without Enzo Fernandez, who withdrew from the Argentina squad after being involved in his country's 1-0 victory over Venezuela with an issue. 

Enzo Maresca will also be absent from the touchlines at the City Ground after he was handed a one-match ban for his celebration following Estevao's late winner against Liverpool before the international break.

The Italian, however, had no regrets about his actions, saying at the Trento Sports Festival: "It was a huge emotion.

"It's my second season at Chelsea, and it was the first time we won at home in the last minute.

"Sending off? Many times football is passion, instinct. I probably didn't have time to think. It was an instinctive reaction, but I think it was worth it."