Nottingham Forest were handed a wake-up call by Bournemouth on Sunday, and Sean Dyche may quickly need to accept an ugly truth.
It was a memorable night at the City Ground on Thursday when Dyche's first game in charge ended in a 2-0 victory against Portuguese giants FC Porto in the Europa League. There were promising signs in that game that an immediate turnaround was afoot.
Any signs of a quick revival were firmly shot down by a Bournemouth side who made light work of the Tricky Trees courtesy of goals from Marcus Tavernier (25') and Eli Junior Kroupi (40'). But the visitors were their own worst enemy at the Vitality, and the form of Matz Sels should be a massive concern.
Forest Defeat at Vitality Spells Sels Trouble
Matz Sels @ Nottingham Forest
Forest will argue Bournemouth shouldn't have been allowed the opportunity to score the opener given the ball went out of play from Tavernier himself. But the Cherries' winger fooled Sels when his corner caught out the Belgian shot-stopper and hit the back of the net.
Sels could have no complaints, and he should be saving such an attempt given his excellent displays last season. But this is becoming a worrying and recurring theme for the 33-year-old, who has been performing in stark contrast to the PFA Team of the Season goalkeeper of last term.
The Belgian won the Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets, but he doesn't have a single clean sheet to his name after nine games. This time last year, the idea of dropping Sels was unthinkable, but how quickly things change in the Premier League.
The veteran shot-stopper, whom The Nottingham Post branded "really poor" against Bournemouth, may now be looking over his shoulder, especially if he's continuing to pick the ball out of the back of his net with unconvincing performances. His backup, John Victor, is a more than worthy replacement and the Brazilian particularly caught the eye at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
John Victor in action for Botafogo
The Tricky Trees' constant managerial changes haven't helped Sels' situation as Dyche becomes his third coach since the start of the season. But his new manager needs the man between the sticks to be as reliable as ever with a relegation battle becoming increasingly possible.