Nottinghamshire

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest go in search of a third consecutive league win when they entertain a Brighton side who lost 7-0 when they visited the City Ground in February. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:05 GMT).

Forest on fire in front of goal

Back-to-back victories mean Forest begin the weekend outside the bottom three, with the manner of their 3-0 win at Liverpool suggesting Sean Dyche's side have more than enough quality to steer clear of a relegation fight and achieve mid-table security.

This will be Dyche's fifth Premier League game in charge, equalling the short-lived reign of predecessor Ange Postecoglou. So far, it is an appointment which has delivered a dramatic improvement.

Forest took just one point from the 15 available under Postecoglou, but have already claimed seven from a possible 12 with Dyche at the helm.

Perhaps more surprisingly, goals are flowing freely under the Englishman. The Reds have scored eight times in his four league matches, including three against both Leeds and Liverpool. The last time they won three Premier League games in a row whilst scoring three goals in each victory was 30 years ago.

How resilient Albion learnt from Forest thrashing

Brighton marked Fabian Hurzeler's 50th Premier League game in charge with another come-from-behind victory against Brentford, though the head coach had to watch from the stands because of a suspension.

The 32-year-old will be back in the dugout this weekend at the City Ground, the scene of a 7-0 defeat last season - the Seagulls' heaviest league loss since 1958.

It is to Hurzeler's credit that Brighton responded to that thrashing by winning their next six matches in all competitions, eventually finishing the season strongly in eighth place. The German said this week that while the mauling from Forest was a "terrible defeat", the lessons learned actually helped the club's long-term development.

Resilience certainly appears to be in Albion's DNA right now, with the club having won 10 points from losing positions this term, the highest figure in the top flight prior to the latest round of fixtures.

Danny Welbeck was on target as Brighton recovered from a goal down last weekend, taking his tally to seven in this season's Premier League. The evergreen 35-year-old scored 10 top-flight goals last term, the first time he has reached double figures, but is already well on the way to beating that figure.

Image source, PA Media

Sean Dyche has said Nottingham Forest's improved run of results has been delivered from a base of being "strong, fit and organised" while also allowing his players "freedom to play".

Forest had gone 10 games without a win and had not kept a clean sheet in their first 11 matches of the season when Dyche became the club's third boss of the campaign on 21 October.

Since then, they have won four out of seven matches, shutting out the opposition on four occasions.

At the other end, they have scored three goals in each of their past three games, all of them victories - including a superb 3-0 success against champions Liverpool at Anfeld in their most recent league outing.

Asked about the key principles required to improve a team that has been struggling defensively, Dyche told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Strong, fit and organised - it's a simple, logical viewpoint.

"The late John Duncan [Dyche's former manager when he was a player at Chesterfield] used to say there are only three things that can happen in football; you've got it, they've got it and nobody's got it, and he said if you get your principles around your coaching around those things, you won't go far wrong.

"Strong is different nowadays, it's not strong as in going around crunching into tackles, it's having that real competitive edge. That's certainly been on show since we got here.

"We stepped away from it in the one game where we physically were miles off at Bournemouth, but in all the other games I've been pleased with those guidelines of 'strong, fit and organised'.

"And from that, [giving players] the freedom to go and play. We want players to play with freedom.

"We know we've got talent here and we know we've got players still developing into the Premier League, but we give them a platform to work from. We make it clear, that base we work from, but then allow that freedom to come from that base."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Radio 5 Live's Premier League Kick-Off from 19:00 GMT and on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Long-serving commentator Clive Tyldesley has been recalling his early days as a reporter on Nottingham Forest, and revealed the exacting standards of legendary manager Brian Clough.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast, Tyldesley recalled his first journey with Forest and how Clough ensured he looked the part.

"It would sound pedantic in 2025!" he said. "It was on the train, the first time I had travelled with the team -the first day of the season on a beautiful August morning - and I arrived first at Nottingham station at 09:00.

"I had my ticket and I was on the train but around 09:15, Cloughie appeared, not in his tracksuit or rugby shirt, but because it was a matchday, Forest used to wear blue blazers with a tie.

"I looked like I had just won the junior medal at a golf club, I had a double-breasted blazer, buttoned-down shirt and shiny shoes. I was really smart, but I didn't have a tie on.

"Cloughie came past and said: 'Good morning, young man, you are very welcome to travel with the Nottingham Forest official party, but when you do, you wear a tie, please'. And I said: 'Sorry, Mr Clough'. But he didn't move.

"Then, I looked up again, and he said: 'Listen, you are very welcome to travel with the Nottingham Forest official party, but when you do, you wear a tie'.

"'As soon as we get to Euston, I'll get a tie,' I said.

"'Young man, you are very welcome to travel with the Nottingham Forest official party, but when you do, you wear a tie.'

"And he put his hands in his pocket and put a £10 note on the table I was sitting at and said: 'Train leaves in 15 minutes'. So literally, I had to run off the platform, and fortunately, the station in Nottingham is quite close to the city centre, and there was a gents outfit that was opening for the day. I threw the £10 note at the guy and pulled a tie from the rack.

"Now I was sweating, but I put it on. He came past again an hour into the journey and said: 'Very smart'."

Listen on BBC Sounds

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Sean Dyche has called on Nottingham Forest to maintain their standards as his reign gathers pace.

A 3-0 Europa League win over Malmo on Thursday maintained Forest's momentum and extended their unbeaten run to five games.

It is also the first time the club have won three straight matches since the turn of the year.

Forest, who beat Liverpool on Saturday, host Brighton on Sunday looking to pull further clear of the Premier League's relegation zone with Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in October, seeing the changes.

"I do [see them] at the training ground, but that doesn't guarantee a result," he said. "I've spoken endlessly to the players about our good habits on the training ground - they pay you back.

"So far, that's working. We've got to maintain standards and I think the players are learning that, or certainly my standards and the way I want to work.

"They're adapting to that and they're doing a good job. But the last one doesn't guarantee the next one and I also remind them of that. It's not that easy, football.

"So you've got to consistently work hard at what you do every day and everything counts. They are developing into a group of players who are beginning to understand that more and more."

Full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday from 14:05 GMT

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest youngster Jimmy Sinclair said it was a "dream come true" as he made his professional debut against Malmo.

Sinclair, 19, came on in the 84th minute to replace James McAtee in their 3-0 win over the Swedish club.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham on the experience, Sinclair said: "It's an incredible night, personally a dream come true.

"I think for the fans and the club, it was an incredible night. It was a really good team performance and many more to come.

"It was another dream come true to just be on a bench for a game like this. To get the call and be involved was a special moment."

Listen to his full interview here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Nottingham Forest's Europa League match against Malmo.

Here are some of your comments:

Adam: Overall, a really dominant performance. We bullied them in the first half and could have been three or four up by half-time. Second half was a little more subdued. Really pleased for Yatesy getting his first goal in Europe and nice to see Kalimuendo get his first goal - hopefully he can push on now.

Lee: With three wins in a row, Forest are hitting their stride and putting the start of the season behind them. You've got to fancy us for the later stages of the Europa League.

Steve: Forest won't have an easier game for the rest of the season. In fact, they've played tougher pre-season games. Having said that, games have to be won and the squad did just that. Good to see Callum Hudson-Odoi and James McAtee given time on the field, although McAtee needs more of the same to get up to speed. Overall, a commanding squad performance.

Barry: I was at the European Cup final against Malmo when we squeezed a 1-0 victory, so it is with relief that a comfortable 3-0 win should see the Reds through to the next round.

Joel: In a word, comfortable. Never really felt threatened. Good game to get some minutes into the guys who aren't starting in the league and some young prospects. Good to see Kalimuendo get a goal. Hopefully that'll give his confidence a boost.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest welcomed their heroes of 1979 before Thursday's Europa League win over Malmo.

The squad - and some from Malmo - reunited 46 years since winning the club's first European Cup against the Swedes.

They retained the title 12 months later, etching their names into club folklore even further, and gathered at the City Ground on Thursday to watch the class of 2025-26.

What they saw was one of the most comfortable victories Sean Dyche's side are likely to have all season.

Winning the Europa League was a goal for the club at the start of the season and after a turbulent period they have now settled under Dyche, both domestically and in Europe.

A top-eight place - and automatic qualification for the last 16 - is just two points away so cannot be ruled out.

Trips to Utrecht and Braga await before a final league-phase game at home to Ferencvaros in January.

After four wins from seven games under Dyche, two in Europe, Forest have momentum for the first time this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, speaking to TNT Sports 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 credit to the back five really - the goalkeeper and the back four did a great job. That sets the tone then for the performance. It was a bit of a slow start, but they camped in and that can be hard to break down.

"Overall, I'm really pleased with the players. We had some coming back into fitness like Callum [Hudson-Odoi], and I thought [Ryan] Yates was brilliant. I'm really pleased with the squad mentality. It was really clear tonight and we're going to need that going forwards.

"I'm pleased for the crowd as well. The European campaign is really important to them and us. It's great when players are changed and they are still delivering performances - that's really key for squad mentality. We have got strength in depth and we need it because of the injuries.

"Consistency is a big thing that we're working on during training sessions and something we want to bring in - but that's on everyone, not just the starting XI. I've been really impressed with that."

On Yates scoring on every day of the week for Forest now: "I didn't know that, but fair play! He is a real club man - everyone knows that. He is a credit to himself, with his professionalism and the way he works for us. He has been first class so I'm really pleased for him."

Hear more from Dyche on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Forest have won three consecutive games, having won just two of their first 15 matches this season (D5 L8).

Nottingham Forest have made enquiries with Polish club Pogon Szczecin regarding the availability of forward Adrian Przyborek, 18. (Teamtalk), external

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