Nottingham Forest missed out on a chance to move five points clear of the relegation zone following a 0-0 draw with Wolves. This game was Sean Dyche’s last managerial game before he was fired.
This was despite the hosts taking 35 shots against the bottom team in the Premier League at the City Ground.
It’s been nearly a decade since a Premier League team had so many shots without scoring, but Forest were unable to overcome the league’s worst side, who had not kept an away clean sheet in the top flight until this game.
Forest failed to take advantage of the teams around them dropping points, ending their hopes of survival, and were booed by their fans. They are in a precarious position ahead of tough games against Liverpool, Brighton and Manchester City.
How did Daichi’s last match unfold?
Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic appears depressed full-time
Morgan Gibbs-White and new signing Lorenzo Lucca had big chances in a one-sided first half, but the final chance went to Morato. Thanks to a great save, he was unable to beat Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range.
It was a disappointing full debut for Lucca, who was on the front line. He lasted 71 minutes before being replaced by Igor Jesus, leaving the pitch with just 11 touches due to lack of service. Nothing we saw of him was convincing at all.
Wolves showed some excellent defending to earn their fourth away goal of the season and could have added another in stoppage time. However, impressive teenager Matheus Mane fired a shot straight at Forest keeper Stefan Ortega during the break.
Forest were unable to increase the pressure on a coachless Tottenham side, but they remain three points above the drop zone. A win would have tied them with Spurs and would have been enough to drag Spurs into even more trouble. Wolves, on the other hand, remain entrenched at the bottom of the table, 18 points from safety.
Nottingham Forest missed too many chances against Wolves
What did Dyche say after Wolves drew?
Dyche, who became the third Forest manager to be sacked this season, faces questions over his future after the painful draw, with owner Evangelos Marinakis watching from the stands.
Around three hours after the result, his departure was announced by the club at 12.30am as the team’s winless run in the league extended to three games, but the 54-year-old admitted it could happen.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Sean Dyche’s final press conference after the draw with Wolves, where he was asked about his future at Nottingham Forest and whether owner Evangelos Marinakis could sack his third manager this season.
“The owner has been fair to me without question,” he said. “If someone chooses to change in football now, that’s their decision. We’ve all seen that.
“People can demand change, but then it’s always a question of whether they change. I just work hard. I care about this club. I’ve made that clear. I’m working hard.”
“If the owner wants to make a change, it’s up to him, that’s the way football is now, that’s the reality.
“But I’m not questioning the owner here. He’s been completely fair to me from start to finish and I’ve been fair to him and told him the truth every step of the way.”
“Owners are owners. They don’t keep you warm, if it works, they just come. I’m a realist. I understand that the noise here has changed a lot from the last few games.”
“He’s been first class to me since I came here. And if he wants to change, it’s completely up to him, and if the fans want to change, it’s completely up to them. All I’m doing is working hard at the club I care about.”
Edwards proud of game against Wolves
Wolves manager Rob Edwards:
“Obviously, we didn’t play great, but we showed a lot of other fighting ability and fighting ability that you have to show regardless of how you play. There’s no question they were better.”
“But no one can doubt the dedication and effort and fighting spirit of the players. We can doubt some of the football, the decisions we made and the quality we showed at times. But behind the game, what was there was there.”
The numbers behind Forest’s wasteful spending
Nottingham Forest’s 35 goalless shots were the most by a team without finding the back of the net in a Premier League game since Manchester United had 38 in a 0-0 draw with Burnley in October 2016. Forest had 35 shots in the game, the most in a Premier League game since the 2022-23 season and the most in Sean Dyche’s 351st game. Forest had 62.9 shots per game. Possession – This is the 10th time in the Premier League that Dyche’s side have had at least 60 per cent of the ball and failed to win the match (D4 L6). Wolves have had 35 shots on target, but only in one previous Premier League game have they had 36, against Liverpool in May 2024.
Forest’s mind-boggling array of facilities
Fenerbahce (A) – Europa League Knockout Play-offs First Leg – Thursday 19 February Kick-off 5:45pm Liverpool (H) – Premier League – Sunday 22 February, live on Sky Sports. 2pm kick-off Fenerbahce (H) – Europa League Knockout Play-Off Second Leg – Thursday 26th February Kick-off 8pm Brighton (A) – Premier League – Sunday 1st March, live on Sky Sports. 2pm kick-off Man City (A) – Premier League – Wednesday 4th March Kick-off 7.30pm Fulham (H) – Premier League – Saturday 14th March. Kickoff at 3pm
