Nottinghamshire

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Forest's performance

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche makes seven changes from their impressive 3-0 win at Liverpool.

John Victor starts in goal as Zach Abbott and Morato are drafted into defence in place of Nicolo Savona and Neco Williams.

Ryan Yates captains the side with James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Callum Hudson-Odoi also recalled with Morgan Gibbs-White, who was a doubt, not included.

Nottingham Forest XI: Victor, Morato, Murillo, Milenkovic, Abbott, Sangare, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo

Subs: Sels, Williams, Anderson, Jesus, Ndoye, Boly, Savona, Whitehall, Thompson, Sinclair

Malmo, who finished sixth in the Swedish Allsvenskan, play their first game since their league ended on 9 November.

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen drops to the bench as Melker Ellborg starts, while ex-West Ham, Celtic and Stoke forward Sead Haksabanovic starts while former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjonsen's son Daniel is up front.

Malmo are second bottom of the 36-team Europa League table with a point from their opening four games.

Malmo XI: Ellborg, Stryger, Djuric, Jansson, Rosler, Skogmar, Johnsen, Haksabanovic, Busanello, Gudjohnsen, Bolin.

Subs: Olsen, Olsson, Karlsson, Ekong, Lewicki, Christiansen, Vecchia, Busuladzic, Botheim, Soumah, Berg, Lundbergh.

There are 36 games in the Europa League and Conference League on Thursday, including three involving Premier League clubs, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Europa League: Aston Villa v Young Boys (17:45)

• Europa League: Nottingham Forest v Malmo

• Conference League: Strasbourg v Crystal Palace

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here