Sean Dyche Promises More to Come After Nottingham Forest’s Impressive Europa League Victory
Sean Dyche has expressed his excitement for the future of Nottingham Forest following their commendable 2-0 victory over FC Porto in the Europa League. This win marked a significant milestone as Morgan Gibbs-White netted the first goal of the Dyche era with a well-placed penalty in the first half. Igor Jesus followed suit, showcasing a remarkable turnaround after their recent loss to Chelsea.
Although Dyche has only been at the helm for two days, it was clear that his influence was already shaping the team’s style and confidence, a stark contrast to their previous performances under Ange Postecoglou.
After the match, Dyche shared his thoughts, stating, “It was marvellous. It meant a lot. The players have endured a lot, and so have the fans, so giving them something to cheer about is crucial.” He emphasized that this victory is just the beginning, saying, “We’ve only been working together for two days, and they adapted quickly. It’s a good start, but there’s much more to come.”
Dyche praised the team’s structure and their ability to maintain it while also looking to exploit space when in possession. “We found a good balance today, and as we continue to work together, we’ll become fitter and sharper,” he noted. He added, “I don’t want to be a purist; my aim is to stretch teams and create more room for play. It was satisfying to get that second goal to secure the win.”
Reflecting on the team’s history and connection to the club, Dyche emphasized the importance of this victory. “To achieve a clean sheet and a win for both the crowd and players boosts their belief, which is fantastic,” he said.
Morgan Gibbs-White, who finally scored his first goal of the season, also received special mention from Dyche. “We aimed to free him up a bit. He’s not only strong defensively but also serves as a calming presence. It’s essential to guide him positively,” Dyche explained. Gibbs-White expressed his relief after the match, stating, “I can finally breathe tonight. It’s been a challenging few months with all the changes and disappointing performances, so securing our first win in eight or nine games feels great. I want to thank the fans for their unwavering support.”
He added, “The manager said we had a strong identity last season, and he aims to build on that. We’re thrilled to have secured three points today. You can feel the morale shifting; it’s much more positive, thanks to the manager’s influence. We need to maintain this mentality.”
Looking ahead, Dyche is hopeful that this strong performance will carry into their upcoming match against Bournemouth on Sunday as he seeks to guide Forest away from the relegation zone.
