Nottingham Forest seems to have entered a new chapter under Sean Dyche. The team is showing form reminiscent of their 2024-25 season, when they secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League. Recently, Forest has beaten Swedish side Malmö and registered strong results against Premier League opponents. Under Dyche, the Tricky Trees look more organised, confident, and competitive than in recent years, growing into a side capable of challenging bigger teams rather than merely fighting to survive.
In this blog on Odds96, we discuss Nottingham Forest’s form, key players, and season expectations under Sean Dyche’s leadership.
Early Results and On-Field Improvement
Since taking charge in October 2025, Dyche has guided Nottingham Forest to four victories, two draws, and only one defeat across all competitions. The team has delivered impressive results, including a convincing 3-0 win against Malmö in the Europa League, a stunning 3-0 victory away at defending Premier League champions Liverpool, a 3-1 win against Leeds United, a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, and a strong 2-0 victory over Porto. These results demonstrate a level of growth and confidence that was missing earlier in the campaign.
Current Standing in the Premier League and Europe
In the Premier League, Forest are currently placed 16th with twelve points, following three wins, six defeats, and three draws. Although the position may still look uncomfortable, the recent run of form offers a clear sign of progress. In the Europa League, Forest is in 16th place with eight points from 5 matches, recording two wins, two draws, and one loss, giving them a strong chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Nottingham Forest have kept a clean sheet in each of their first three UEFA Europa League games under Sean Dyche. He’s the first English manager to start a campaign with three straight clean sheets since Alan Pardew in 2012.
Sean Dyche’s Impact and Managerial Influence
The difference since Sean Dyche’s appointment has been evident. He arrived with a proven track record, having spent almost a decade at Burnley, where he managed 425 matches and guided the club to the Championship title in the 2015-16 season. Dyche built a reputation for defensive strength, mental resilience, and long-term stability, qualities he is now successfully applying at Nottingham Forest.
Since his first match, a 2-1 win against Porto, Forest have lost only one Premier League game and are currently unbeaten in their last 5 matches. The team has scored nine goals in their last three fixtures, and this is the first time in ten years that Forest have scored in three consecutive matches, something last achieved in February 2015.
At the age of 54, Dyche already holds a 57% win rate with Forest, marking one of the strongest managerial starts the club has seen in recent times. Although the sample is small and it is too early for major judgments, the signs are highly encouraging.
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Ange Postecoglou vs Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest
The contrast between Nottingham Forest under Ange Postecoglou and under Sean Dyche is clear when looking at the numbers. During Postecoglou’s 8 games, Forest did not win a single match, recording 0 wins, 2 draws, and 6 defeats. The team scored only 7 goals and conceded 18, leaving them with a goal difference of -11. They also failed to keep even 1 clean sheet, which shows serious defensive problems and a lack of control in matches.
Since Sean Dyche arrived, the team has shown a major improvement across 7 matches, earning 4 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss. Forest have scored 13 goals in this period, which is almost double the number scored under Postecoglou, and have conceded only 5 goals, giving them a much stronger defensive record. They have also kept 4 clean sheets, proving how much more organised and disciplined the defence has become.
Reaction After Malmö Win
The Tricky Trees boss Sean Dyche, speaking in the post-match after his side’s 3-0 victory over Malmo in the Europa League: “I’m very pleased. I thought we were excellent defensively. They didn’t really lay a glove on us, which was a credit to the back five, really – the goalkeeper and the back four did a great job.
Season Expectation from Sean Dyche
With key players stepping up under Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest’s expectations for the season have strengthened significantly. Morgan Gibbs-White has scored 3 goals and provided one assist, while Murillo and Savona have contributed 2 goals each. Ndoye, Williams, and Anderson have each scored one goal and supplied one assist, showing that Dyche understands how to use their strengths within his system. The team looks more balanced, structured, and confident, and the improvement in individual performances highlights his tactical clarity.
If this momentum continues, Nottingham Forest has a realistic chance to finish eighth or ninth in the Premier League and progress to the next round of the UEFA Europa League. The club could potentially surpass the 65-point total from the 2024-25 season, when they finished seventh under Nuno Espírito Santo. The progress suggests that Dyche is guiding Forest toward one of their most competitive and ambitious seasons in years.
FAQs
1. What changes has Sean Dyche brought to Nottingham Forest?
Sean Dyche has strengthened defensive organisation, improved team discipline, and increased confidence, resulting in more clean sheets, better game control, and consistent scoring.
2. How is Forest performing under Dyche compared to the previous manager?
Under Dyche, Forest have 4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 13 goals scored, 5 conceded, and 4 clean sheets, a major improvement from 0 wins in 8 games before him.
3. What are the expectations for Nottingham Forest this season?
If the current momentum continues, Forest could finish 8th or 9th in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa League knockout rounds.
4. Which players have improved under Sean Dyche?
Morgan Gibbs-White leads the attack with 3 goals & 1 assist, while Murillo and Savona have scored 2 each. Ndoye, Williams, and Anderson have also contributed goals and assists.
5. Can Nottingham Forest surpass last season’s results?
Yes. Forest has a realistic chance to beat their 65-point total and 7th-place finish from the 2024-25 season if they maintain current form.
