Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has warned his teammates that Nottingham Forest are a difficult proposition following the appointment of Sean Dyche as head coach.
Sean Dyche is the third Nottingham Forest manager of the season so far, as he looks to keep the club in the top flight following Ange Postecoglou’s short reign.
The former Burnley manager has taken charge of two Premier League games and two Europa League games in his short reign to date, earning one win, two draws and a defeat.
Forest have several injury concerns heading into the game with Leeds, which led Dyche to make several changes for their 0-0 draw in Austria against Sturm Graz, just three days before they welcome Leeds to the City Ground.
Now, Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu has warned his side that they face a different Forest side under Dyche, as the English manager looks to add newfound steel to Forest’s game.
Ethan Ampadu in action for Leeds against Everton.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Ethan Ampadu issues Nottingham Forest warning to Leeds United
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport ahead of Leeds’ trip to the East Midlands, Ampadu warned Leeds that they would need to be at their best to claim a precious away win.
According to Ampadu, Forest will be eager to win their duels against Leeds as the Whites look for their first top-flight win at the City Ground since Don Revie was in charge.
Ampadu said: “There’s that thing where when a new manager comes in, it might give a team a bit of freshness, a bit more belief and a bit more hope. So we know, first of all, it’s going to be a very difficult away game.
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“They’re going to want to win all the duels. They’re going to want to win the battles. They’re also going to try and play their football and their style to win the game.
“A lesson from the Brighton game is we have to start quicker, we have to start more physical, we have to make sure we put a foothold in the game, which then after that we can be able to play a little bit more.
“We know we’re going to be in for a tough game, they’re going to be right up for it as they should be, and it’s just trying to match that intensity from the very start.”
Ethan Ampadu celebrates during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United - Premier League
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Daniel Farke needs Ethan Ampadu to bounce back from season’s worst display v Brighton
Although Leeds’ loss at Brighton was no surprise in and of itself, the manner of their defeat will be a cause for concern for Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
Arguably, the most surprising element of Leeds’ dire display was Ampadu’s drop off, as the normally reliable midfielder produced his worst performance of the Premier League season to date.
Ethan Ampadu’s last 5 FotMob ratings for Leeds:
v Brighton – 5.9
v West Ham – 7.2
v Burnley – 7.2
v Tottenham – 6.7
v Bournemouth – 6.9
Ampadu received a FotMob rating of 5.9 at the Amex Stadium, significantly down on the 7.2 rating he received against Burnley, and by some distance his worst for his club this season.
With Forest looking to close the gap on the Whites in the league table, Farke needs Ampadu back to his best to win the midfield battle.