Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Nottingham Forest, Sean Dyche, Football, Europa League
Marcus Chan
Topics: Nottingham Forest, Sean Dyche, Football, Europa League
Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has made an honest admission after winning Sean Dyche's first match in charge against FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League.
On Thursday night, the Dyche era at Forest began with a tough Europa League tie at the City Ground against Portuguese giants Porto.
Despite the recent struggles, the hosts produced quite possibly their best performance of the season so far as they managed to secure three vital points.
Goals from the captain on the night, Gibbs-White, plus a strike by Igor Jesus sealed a much-needed 2-0 win, handing Dyche the perfect start to his tenure as Forest boss.
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As a result of the win, Forest moved up to 17th place in the Europa League standings, having amassed four points from their opening three matches.
Speaking after the final whistle, Gibbs-White admitted that he can 'finally breathe' after a difficult few weeks on and off the pitch for the club.
The midfielder also revealed what Dyche told the players upon his arrival and the impact the new manager has had on the morale of the dressing room.
He said to TNT Sports: "I can finally breathe tonight. It has been a difficult couple of months with all the changes and the bad performances, so it was good to get our first win in eight or nine games. We are delighted to get the three points and I want to thank the fans for sticking by us.
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"The gaffer said when he came in that last season we had a real identity, and he wants to build on top of that. I am just delighted that the boys got the three points and the win."
Gibbs-White added: "You can feel the morale. It feels a lot more positive and it needs to stay like that. That's credit to the manager. He has instilled that in us, and we have to keep up that mentality."
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Looking ahead, Forest will be back in Premier League action this weekend when they take on high-flying Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon.