Forest have inflicted pain on Hurzeler before – this time he needs to build momentum | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a chance to build momentum after the 2-0 win at Brentford.

According to NY Times, Forest have repeatedly stalled Fabian Hurzeler’s progress. A six-game unbeaten start ended with a 2-2 at the Amex, Morgan Gibbs-White saw red and both coaches followed.

Joao Pedro’s ankle injury from that challenge kept him out for six matches and eight points slipped away. Brighton later finished eighth, four points and a place behind Forest, and Hurzeler’s ban preceded a 4-2 defeat at Chelsea.

A 7-0 at the City Ground last February, the club’s heaviest league loss for 67 years, remains the nadir. A reshaped midfield that pushed Georginio Rutter deeper alongside Jack Hinshelwood backfired badly.

A four-win, seven-game unbeaten response followed, including FA Cup victories over Chelsea and at Newcastle, yet Forest then knocked Brighton out on penalties after a 0-0. Rutter also suffered ankle ligament damage in that tie.

Even November’s 2-0 at Forest carried a sting as Stefanos Tzimas scored late then ruptured an ACL three days later, and a one-win-in-13 slide followed.

Forest now arrive under Vitor Pereira, Ange Postecoglou’s replacement. It is Brighton’s first Amex outing since a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace. Back-to-back league wins would help, and Hurzeler says performances must lead if recent levels are to deliver results.

Source: NY Times