Nottingham Forest’s hopes of pulling clear of the Premier League relegation zone took a hefty hit last night, after drawing 0-0 with bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham United’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United opened the door for the Reds to move five points clear of the drop, but such a gap has been restored to just three points.
Sean Dyche’s men registered 35 shots on goal - the most of any side managed by the 54-year-old in his career - with ten on target, but their efforts were to no avail.
sean-dyche-forest
His men also had 63% possession and often pinned Rob Edwards’ side back in their own half, but the lack of clinical edge contributed to the inability to secure all three points.
That appeared to be the final straw for owner Angelos Marinakis who relieved the former Everton boss of his duties just hours after the final whistle. As a result, the Reds are on their hunt for a fourth manager of the campaign.
It's safe to say Dyche won't have many people to thank as he exits the City Ground, not least January signing Lorenzo Lucca.
Lorenzo Lucca’s night to forget at the City Ground v Wolves
After scoring off the bench against Leeds United last Friday, Dyche handed a first Forest start to loanee Lucca after his January move from Italian side Napoli.
The 25-year-old was unable to reproduce his heroics from his showing at Elland Road, with his showing against Wolves last night certainly one to forget.
lucca-forest
He featured for 71 minutes before being replaced, but his withdrawal was warranted after registering just 11 touches of the ball - an average of one every six and a half minutes.
The Italian also only managed to complete two passes during his time on the pitch, whilst coming out on top in just two of the five duels he entered on the ground and aerially.
His biggest chance in front of goal came just before the break, with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pass from a six against one break being blazed miles over the crossbar.
After such a showing, there’s no doubt he would be lucky to maintain his starting role, with his audition on his home debut certainly one Lucca will want to forget in a hurry.
The Forest star who needs to be dropped after Wolves
Dyche had arguably been a dead man walking in recent days, with his style of play undoubtedly contributing to the struggles he’s endured in the role.
The 54-year-old became set upon playing the ball into wide areas and forcing the wingers to cross the ball into the opposition penalty area and simply hope for the best.
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche
His side attempted 38 crosses during last night’s draw, but only managed to complete 26% of their attempts - highlighting the struggles the side faced in forward areas.
The Reds also managed to register 40 touches in the opposition box, but it was to no avail, as Dyche’s side were unable to break down the backline of the division’s worst defence.
Omari Hutchinson was handed a recall to the starting eleven after numerous substitute appearances, but the club-record addition failed to take advantage of the chance handed his way.
Nottingham Forest record signings Related
Nottingham Forest’s most expensive signings of all time
Evangelos Marinakis has spent big in recent years.
The 22-year-old was tasked with creating the goods from wide areas within the manager’s system, but the winger was unable to provide the goods in attacking areas.
He had 57 touches of the ball, with six coming in the opposition box, but he failed to deliver the end product needed to break the deadlock at the City Ground.
omari-hutchinson-forest
The attacker attempted 14 crosses during his 90-minute performance, but only managed to complete 29% of his efforts, subsequently highlighting his lack of quality.
He was responsible for delivering in swinging corners, but two of his attempts hit the side netting and went straight out of play - something which summed up the evening for the Reds.
Omari Hutchinson - stats against Wolves
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Shots taken
Dribbles completed
Cross accuracy
Possession lost
Fouls committed
Duels lost
Hutchinson was also largely out-fought by the visitors, losing 55% of the duels that he entered, whilst losing possession on 18 separate occasions - the most of any player who started the encounter.
As a result of his showing last night, the youngster was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Nottinghamshire Live’s Sarah Clapson, which further reaffirms how much he struggled in the draw.
After such a display, whoever the new manager is, simply must drop the attacker, with his lack of quality evident throughout his performance.
With the season rapidly coming to an end, something simply has to give at the City Ground, with relegation now becoming a distinct possibility after yet another dismal performance.
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche during the match Related
[Forget Frank: Nottingham Forest free to hire "genius" 4-2-3-1 Dyche upgrade](https://www.footballfancast.com/forget-frank-nottingham-forest-free-to-hire-dyche-upgrade-de-zerbi/ "Forget Frank: Nottingham Forest free to hire "genius" 4-2-3-1 Dyche upgrade")
Nottingham Forest could have a huge call to make on the future of Sean Dyche in the coming days.