Clinton Morrison: Why Dyche is a good fit at Nottingham Forest & Birmingham struggles
After just three days as manager of Nottingham Forest manager, Sean Dyche has already acheived what Ange Postecoglou couldn't do in over a month - win a match.
Former Premier League icon and Sky Sports pundit, Clinton Morrison, talks about why Ange's time eventually ran out at the City Ground, what Dyche will bring, Birmingham's struggles this season and the upcoming EFL action.
Find out what Clinton had to say looking ahead to this weekend's action with Free Bets.
Nottingham Forest
You were covering Nottingham Forest v Chelsea on Saturday, which saw Ange Postecoglou sacked after 39 days after the game.
Was it a surprise in the end?
It was no big surprise, because he had no wins in eight games. The owner is very ambitious and wants success. He’s put a lot of money into it, wants Forest in the top half and doing well in Europe, so it wasn’t a big surprise in the end.
It was difficult for Ange. He came to the club and they didn’t want him, they were still in love with Nuno so he was always up against it.
They were actually the better team against Chelsea, but its the story of their season that they missed big chances and lost the game.
The one thing I was surprised about with Ange though, was that he tried to change from his usual philosophy when he went in there. I think if you’re going to lose your job, do it your way, and I don’t think he did.
But welcome to Sean Dyche, another different style again. If Forest thought they were in a relegation battle, then they’re not anymore because he will keep them up.
Why didn’t Forest get rid of Ange in the international break?
I did think that if they were going to get rid of him, they’d have done it in the break. They clearly wanted to give him another game to turn it around.
Chelsea wouldn’t have been a very nice first game for Sean Dyche, but I don’t think that would have been a reason for delaying the decision.
Ange didn’t help himself though with some of the comments he makes. He is brilliant in the press, but when he’s saying he can win a trophy - it’s a brave thing to say, because it’s not going to happen.
It’s sad because I like him, but I don’t know when he will manage in the Premier League again.
His stock should still be high off the job he did at Tottenham and getting them into the Champions League, and he’s not had the time at Forest to do anything but it just wasn’t working.
The Dyche appointment seems to make more sense, and more in line with the style of play from last season under Nuno. It makes sense doesn’t it?
It makes sense - he knows the club. He came through the academy there and you look at the coaching staff they have with Steve Stone and Ian Woan - legends at the club from the good times with Brian Clough - they have great experience there.
There were other names in the frame like Roberto Mancini but for where they are right now, they needed someone like Sean Dyche to go in there and settle it, making them defensively strong and scoring goals.
He’s a very similar manager to Nuno, so I think it is a good comparison.
Do you know Sean Dyche at all?
I’ve worked with him a few times doing bits of commentary for the radio and things like that - we did the FA Cup Final last season.
He’s a good guy, I like Sean Dyche, and he has a bit of an aura about him. He’s been out of the game for a little bit now but he was always going to get a job, he’s a very good manager.
You have said before that you really enjoyed playing under Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock, I feel like you’d have enjoyed working under Dyche too?
I think you’d run through brick walls for him. His team talks would be inspiring and get you going, and he’d let you know if you’re not doing the business.
He comes across as a very honest manager who won’t take any rubbish from anyone.
I think he’ll give some of the underperforming players a big lift.
Birmingham Struggles
Onto Birmingham, who got a big win on Tuesday night, but that was needed, wasn’t it? Things were starting to turn sour
With the money they have spent there, there was always going to be pressure on the manager but I don’t think the hierarchy is one that would get rid of the manager after three or four bad games.
If they were in this position come the end of the season, I think there would be a bit more pressure but it's still early in the season.
It was a big result at Preston, and they needed it because they should be in the top half of the table but it is a very competitive Championship this season.
The relegated teams are not doing great, so it’s not going how I or betting sites predicted it at the start of the season!
Do you think the manager was under any real pressure?
I don’t think it would have come from within the club, just people on the outside given the amount of money they have spent.
He should be doing better with the group of players they have, but they’re not that far off it and we’re only in October, so things could change very quickly.
Questions will be asked if it hasn’t really improved by January, but this ownership strikes me as one that will improve the squad if needed but there is a long way to go and the Championship is very unpredictable.
EFL Game of the Weekend
What's your pick of the action this weekend in the EFL?
I would probably say Ipswich vs West Brom.
West Brom lost to Watford on Wednesday, and they could have gone up to third if they’d won that. They’ll be disappointed and will want a reaction, and then you’ve got Ipswich who also lost.
McKenna won’t be happy with how it’s going. They spent quite a lot of money in the summer and they were my frontrunners for the title at the start of the season.
McKenna is a top manager, but it’s just not clicking at the moment.
Who are the players from either side to keep an eye on?
Philogene has been outstanding for Ipswich. He’s the one who drives them forward.
For West Brom, I didn’t know a lot about Price but he scored a very good goal against Watford and has scored a few big goals so far this season. He is a very attacking, creative midfielder and has burst onto the scene and been really impressive for West Brom.
He’s gone under the radar before but people are starting to notice him now.
