Sean Dyche’s side had gone five games unbeaten in all competitions, but a 2-0 defeat to Brighton at the City Ground brought that run to an end.
The result was a reminder for the Reds that there is still plenty of work ahead if they are going to avoid getting pulled back into the relegation fight. This is not the time to ease up.
Recent wins over Leeds and Liverpool had lifted them out of the bottom three, but this match served as a reality check for anyone who thought Forest were already clear of trouble.
Dyche had already suggested changes might be coming for the Wolves fixture, and after this performance, it looks like there is plenty to rethink for him and his coaching staff.
Sean Dyche takes subtle swipe at Ange Postecoglou after Brighton defeat
Ange Postecoglou’s time at Forest did not leave much of an impression, and he may even be mentioned alongside Alex McLeish when discussing the club’s most forgettable managers.
Dyche has remarkably turned things around with the same resources available to Postecoglou, who failed to win any of his games in charge of the club.
The 54-year-old seemed to reference some lingering problems from that period, pointing out that his side might not be where they need to be fitness-wise.
Following the defeat to Brighton, he told the BBC: “The injury list has not been right since before my time, we need to get them back fit. The edge the players are playing with, and sharpness, has been pleasing. We have been scoring goals too. But today goes to show you’ve got to continue with the basics constantly, 95 minutes of football, you’ve got to stay focused on the basics. The first goal is a basic team shape error that can’t afford to happen.
“There have been some good signs; it would be harsh if they (the fans) had questioned the team after what they’ve seen (in recent games).
“We were below our minimum level in the first 20 minutes, but we kept a clean sheet during that period, which gave us time to get back in the game. I must commend the players for that; they are throwing themselves at it, throwing bodies and getting in blocks. Once we regrouped in the first half, it was a solid performance.”
Forest need Murillo back quickly
It is hoped that the decision to leave out Murillo against Brighton was simply because Sunday’s fixture came so soon after Thursday’s clash with Malmo.
The Brazilian has a big influence on how Forest play, and his absence was noticeable, especially when it came to recovering pace in defence.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, Forest will be hoping Murillo can return for Wednesday’s match and stay fit for the trip to Everton at the weekend.
Morato fills in when needed, but like Nikola Milenkovic, he lacks the speed needed to handle quicker sides like Brighton.
And while Morato does his job well enough, he isn’t as quick as Murillo – something that stands out even more against teams with speed like Brighton.
Dyche’s comments hinting at a fitness issue are a clear jab at the former manager, suggesting Postecoglou’s training-ground methods may have played a part.
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