Nottingham Forest’s Strong Start Under Vitor Pereira

omidbasir- Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating they played with a “real identity” during their 3-0 victory against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, marking the debut of new manager Vitor Pereira.

Pereira, who is now the fourth manager of a tumultuous season for the club, could not have wished for a better start. The decisive win in the first leg of the playoff round in Istanbul saw goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Gibbs-White himself, propelling the team forward as they transition from the tenure of Sean Dyche.

In a subtle reference to Dyche, Gibbs-White commented on TNT Sports, saying, “I felt like we had a real identity out there today. I think his message to us is that we’re going to have a real identity of how we play and how we defend as a team.”

He added, “I feel like him and his staff have brought a real positive energy into the group and we’ve all bought into what he wants right away. This is essential; understanding and supporting each other is paramount. I think we already demonstrated that today. We must continue to learn from one another and approach each game with focus.”

The victory positions Forest favorably for the second leg at the City Ground, with the prospect of advancing to the last-16 against either Real Betis or Midtjylland.

Pereira’s primary objective in his new role is to secure the team’s Premier League status, and this strong performance should bolster their confidence ahead of a challenging home match against Liverpool on Sunday.

Gibbs-White remarked, “As a player, you want to relish every moment, but the fast-paced nature of football can make that difficult. We can take this win to heart and prepare for Liverpool this weekend. We’ve endured challenging times, and boosting our confidence is essential. Staying united and functioning as a complete team is key.”

Pereira himself expressed satisfaction with his players, noting, “The quality of the players impressed me the most. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch, and they did just that. I recognized before arriving that the squad possesses significant talent; they need both results and enjoyment in their game. When they enjoy their play, they can reach high levels. All that is required now is organization and confidence.

“I am confident. We will approach each match with the goal of winning. The next game will present its own challenges, and consistency will be crucial. Scoring three goals without conceding is no easy feat, and we must remain focused for what lies ahead.”