Nottingham Forest has reverted to a tried and tested formula as they look to move forward under Sean Dyche. On the same weekend as the clocks go back, so have the Reds – to a time when they were notching up impressive results and playing with smiles on faces. That is what they want to get back to on a regular basis under Dyche.
“It was a real confidence boost for us. And we know that we can do better than that – it’s really positive for the next game and we want to continue like that and get these positive results. “It’s only been just a few days, but the manager has already given us freedom. He says to us to give the best on the pitch, to not think too much. “We just basically worked on some simple things. On Thursday, it worked a lot for us. We also had some bad moments, but we work every time as a squad and a group and that’s the most important thing.
After the attacking style of Ange Postecoglou failed to yield a single victory during his eight games in charge, the Australian’s successor has gone back to basics. Dyche has tapped into what made Forest so successful under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, according to summer signing Dan Ndoye. The switch to something familiar worked to good effect on Thursday night as the new Reds head coach made a perfect start to his reign by seeing off Porto in the Europa League.
Notching a win for the first time since the opening day of the season was a big confidence booster for his players ahead of today’s (Sunday’s) trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League (2pm kick-off). “I think it’s similar to what the team had last season and it’s also what he spoke to us about over the last few days – to come back to something that the team knows and what brought them success last season,” winger Ndoye said of the impact Dyche has made.
“I’m a new player, but I think the team that played last season also felt more confident with this type of play. And it was the basis of the good result against Porto. “We worked hard for this type of result. After winning in Europe, it’s the beginning of what we want to do this season. It’s really positive for the rest of the season.”
Stopping the rot was key for the Reds in midweek after four straight defeats. Bogey side Bournemouth will be a completely different test. The Cherries are flying high in the Premier League this term, whereas Forest are currently in the relegation zone. But the visitors will head south in good spirits, despite the quick turnaround between games.
“It’s two different competitions but we want to be the best in both,” Ndoye said. “This week we focused on Europe, now it’s back to the Premier League. “We want to go back with another victory. We don’t have (back-to-back wins) this season. “When we play Europe and the Premier League, the games come really fast. It’s really positive now. We’ll aim for another good result.”
When the visitors run out at the Vitality Stadium, there will undoubtedly be vocal backing from the away end. Thursday evening saw the City Ground back to its buoyant best as Dyche immediately established a connection with the crowd. “We even felt it in the warm-up that the fans were really pushing and really behind us,” Ndoye added. “They’re like it every game, but it was really special and that gave us more effort. It’s really positive for the future and to be coached in this type of way.”
