Troy Deeney slams Nottingham Forest for ‘panic move’ as alternative to Sean Dyche sacking suggested
Troy Deeney has slammed Nottingham Forest for the decision to sack Sean Dyche after this week’s draw with Wolves.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis pulled the trigger on dismissing the former Everton boss after Wednesday’s disappointing goalless draw.
Just hours after the game, Nottingham Forest confirmed that Dyche had been relieved of his duties amid a third consecutive game without victory.
Vitor Pereira has now agreed to become the fourth permanent manager seen at the City Ground this season, following Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Dyche.
The 57-year-old, who was sacked by Wolves in November, will be tasked with extending the three-point gap Nottingham Forest currently sit clear of West Ham and the relegation zone.
Troy Deeney suggests alternate solution to Nottingham Forest action
One can only assume Nottingham Forest’s action largely stems from the fear surrounding West Ham’s sudden return to form, rather than purely Dyche’s performance.
Only a stoppage-time goal at Chelsea separates Nuno’s team from having gone their last five Premier League games unbeaten, with the Hammers having won three of them.
A relegation race that looked almost wrapped up just weeks ago has burst into life, with Nottingham Forest now under serious threat.
| Premier League | Goal difference | Points |
| 16. Tottenham | -1 | 29 |
| 17. Nottingham Forest | -13 | 27 |
| 18. West Ham | -17 | 24 |
| 19. Burnley | -23 | 18 |
| 20. Wolves | -32 | 9 |
Dyche’s team had produced a stunning victory away at Brentford at the end of January, but defeat to Leeds United last week, and Wednesday’s draw, have served as the final straw.
The City Ground saw 35 shots rain down on the Wolves goal, with a massive 2.55 expected goals generated throughout the contest.
Yet a goal would not come, and Nottingham Forest were forced to settle for a point, ending Dyche’s tenure.
In The Sun on Saturday, Deeney wrote: “The decision to get rid of Dyche, who will not be surprised by what has happened but who I feel very sorry for, smacks of an emotionally driven, panic move.
“These things never really work out. There are other ways to solve short slumps in form than pressing the ‘new manager’ button again.
“Edu and his staff should have looked deeper into why some players are not performing and could even have offered more of an incentive to the squad.
“Given the cost of relegation, the offer of a bonus to players for winning certain games could have worked. You would be surprised how much work already-loaded players can put in when a bit more cash is dangled.”
The task facing Vitor Pereira as agreement made
Pending a club announcement, Pereira has signed a deal that will see him manage Nottingham Forest until the end of the season.
The Portuguese boss will first have the Europa League on Thursday to contend with if he is brought for it, with his first Premier League game coming against Liverpool.
Pereira replaced Gary O’Neil at Wolves last season and performed a miraculous turnaround to keep them up and well clear of the drop zone.
But for that job, the 57-year-old had the benefit of nearly two extra months and a goal-scoring force in Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The task at the City Ground is difficult, and it will be made much harder if West Ham continue to produce results.