What Vitor Pereira has changed at Nottingham Forest: On-pitch freedom, off-pitch rules | OneFootball

Vitor Pereira has quickly reshaped Nottingham Forest’s mood, blending greater on-pitch licence with clearer off-pitch standards as the relegation fight sharpens. According to NY Times, he has won over players within three weeks through concise messaging and a direct, personable approach.

Forest opened with a 3-0 win at Fenerbahce in Istanbul, then were edged 1-0 at home by Liverpool in Pereira’s first league game. A spirited 2-2 at Manchester City last Wednesday rekindled early-season belief.

Survival remains the priority, though Midtjylland visit on Thursday in the Europa League last 16. With nine matches left, Forest are level on 28 points with 18th-placed West Ham. Pereira seeks a first league win before Fulham on Sunday and Tottenham away next week under Igor Tudor.

After Nuno’s September exit, brief reigns for Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche divided the squad. Some Dyche-era bans have gone, with hats, gloves and training-ground music returning. Morgan Gibbs-White has welcomed licence to find pockets and create, balanced by compact defending, patience and regular meetings.

The schedule has limited pitch time, so most teaching has come in meetings and video. Pereira and his staff held one-to-ones with dressing-room leaders, reinforced pressing cues and freedom in possession, kept the 4-2-3-1 at first, then added a 3-5-1-1 seen at Brighton.

He has made tough calls, challenging Lorenzo Lucca to show more conviction while rewarding Taiwo Awoniyi’s application with minutes. His touch, including words with Dilane Bakwa, aided buy-in. Forest hope results will let him revive his points-before-pints mantra.

Source: NY Times