Sean Dyche has joked his gravelly voice is taking some getting used to for Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian contingent. The new Reds head coach is still getting to know his charges after being appointed on Tuesday.
Perfect Start in Europa League
But he got his reign off to the perfect start with a 2-0 Europa League victory over Porto on Thursday night. Forest put in a really encouraging performance against the Portuguese outfit, with three of their Brazilian players at the heart of the City Ground display. Murillo helped to oversee a clean-sheet, Douglas Luiz showed his class in the centre of the pitch and Igor Jesus netted the hosts’ second from the penalty spot.
Brazilian Players in the Squad
In addition to the trio, the Reds have goalkeeper John Victor and centre-backs Morato and Jair Cunha in their ranks. Full-back Cuiabano is due to link-up with the squad in January when his loan at Botafogo runs out.
Dyche on Brazilian Players
The 54-year-old quipped: “I’m not sure about that bit. But with the Brazilian lads, I’m teaching them about my voice because I don’t think they’ve heard a voice like this! They are like: ‘What is that?’ “Some of them speak better English than others. Some of them have been very helpful in adding some detail (for me). But they are all learning the language.
Dyche Praises Brazilian Players
“They have been great. The good thing with the Brazilian players is they have got a hardiness to them. “The way their football is, they can play but they have got a hardy edge to them. I think that is important in the Premier League, to understand how competitive and physical it is. “I don’t mean old-school stuff like big tackling and all that, I mean just that competitive nature. They seem to have that and I think it is important.
Upcoming Match Against Bournemouth
“It is certainly important with the position we are in in the Premier League. And it is certainly important against teams like Bournemouth.” Dyche will head south with his men on Sunday to take on the Cherries (2pm kick-off) for his first league match at the helm. He knows it will be a difficult test.
Premier League Challenge
The Premier League has the makings of being particularly competitive this term, with the three promoted sides giving the challenge of staying up a good go. Forest are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend’s clash and Dyche is focused on getting them out of there.
Dyche’s Approach
“I don’t think I’ve ever been confident enough to think you are just going to breeze your way through a Premier League season,” said the ex-Burnley and Everton boss. “I don’t think you are (going to do that). “But equally, I’ve never doubted what I do and what my teams have done, because mostly we have delivered through a Premier League season. That’s important – our view of the Premier League and what we can do, but you’ve still got to do the job. You’ve still got to win games and get points.”