Nottingham Forest’s Reality Check: Dyche’s Work Cuts Out After Bournemouth Defeat
The euphoria of Nottingham Forest’s Europa League triumph over Porto was short-lived, as Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth brought reality crashing back down to earth. Sean Dyche knows that turning Forest’s form around won’t be a quick fix, and the 2-0 loss to the Cherries highlighted the significant work that needs to be done.
Soft Goals and Fitness Challenges
Forest’s struggles with set-pieces reared their head again, with Bournemouth’s opening goal coming from a corner kick. Dyche was visibly frustrated, and the team’s goalkeeper, Matz Sels, looked out of sorts. The visitors also struggled with their fitness levels, with Dyche admitting that they were “flatlining” in the first half. The manager feels that his players are not physically at the level he wants them to be, and it’s something that needs to be addressed quickly.
Attacking Woes
Forest’s attacking woes continued on Sunday, with the team mustering just seven touches in Bournemouth’s box. Dyche believes that a simple tweak could be key, with his team needing to get crosses into the box and show more physicality. “It’s about the basics,” he said. “We spoke about getting crosses in and hurting people with the physical side of it.”
The Road Ahead
Dyche will have a chance to work on his team’s basics in the coming days, with no midweek fixture to contend with. The Reds host Manchester United on Saturday, a big week that could prove crucial in their bid to climb out of the relegation zone. Dyche knows that his team needs to step up and perform, and he’s confident that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve their goals. The victory over Porto was just a ‘step,’ and Forest undoubtedly still have a few more of them to go.
