For years, Sean Dyche and managers like Tony Pulis were dismissed as relics, their direct, physical style of play considered outdated. Now, the Premier League is embracing precisely that approach – a dramatic shift in tactics that left Dyche unexpectedly searching for a job last summer.
It was a cruel twist of fate. As the season unfolded, set pieces, relentless pressing, and midfield battles became paramount, the very hallmarks of Dyche’s teams. His absence felt particularly jarring as other clubs began to thrive with the methods he’d long championed.
Thankfully, Ange Postecoglou’s brief stint at Nottingham Forest inadvertently paved the way for Dyche’s return. Postecoglou’s attempt to radically alter Forest’s successful formula backfired, leaving the club reeling and yearning for stability – a return to the proven strategies they’d abandoned.
Dyche, however, doesn’t see himself as a visionary ahead of his time. “I’ve always just viewed football through what I think is correct,” he stated upon taking the Forest job. He trusts his experience, his understanding of the Premier League’s demands, and his ability to impose a winning structure on his players.
The results speak for themselves. When Dyche arrived at the City Ground in late October, Forest hadn’t tasted victory in nearly two months. Since then, a remarkable transformation has taken place, with seven wins in twelve matches, including impressive victories over Tottenham and Liverpool.
Forest’s resurgence isn’t just about winning games; it’s about shifting momentum. They’re now looking towards a potential Europa League knockout stage and climbing the table, a stark contrast to their previous relegation battle. It’s a stunning turnaround for a manager dismissed from Everton just months prior.
Ironically, despite his reputation, Forest hasn’t become overwhelmingly reliant on set pieces under Dyche. Of their 21 goals scored under his leadership, only six have originated from penalties or dead-ball situations. This highlights a broader tactical improvement, not simply a return to a single strength.
In fact, Forest’s set-piece record is surprisingly poor, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals scored from such opportunities. This is a clear area for improvement, potentially stemming from a previous lack of focus on corner routines. Addressing this weakness could unlock another dimension to their attack.
The pressure on Dyche is undeniable. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is ambitious, seemingly determined to reach the Champions League regardless of the cost. He demands success, and Dyche understands the stakes.
However, Dyche has a significant advantage: a squad brimming with quality, including players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson – arguably superior to anyone he previously managed at Burnley or Everton. With this talent, a Europa League triumph and a push for European qualification are within reach.
Dyche’s success could open the door for other experienced managers previously considered outdated. Could Sam Allardyce revitalize Fulham, or Tony Pulis rescue Burnley? While it may seem far-fetched, the current landscape suggests anything is possible.
And should things ultimately unravel, the inevitable confrontation between Dyche and Marinakis on the pitch would be a spectacle no one would want to miss – a dramatic culmination of ambition, expectation, and the unpredictable nature of football.
