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Sean Dyche stressed that Nottingham Forest’s decision on his position will not hinge on a single result, as Forest prepare for a high-pressure home match against Wolves that could shape the club’s fight against relegation from the Premier League this season.
The Leeds United defeat has left Forest in 17th place, three points ahead of West Ham in 18th, with Manchester United hosting the Hammers on Tuesday and Wolves visiting the City Ground one day later, adding further tension around the club’s situation and Dyche’s role.
Forest’s 3-1 loss away to Leeds United on Friday came against a direct relegation rival and has increased scrutiny on performances under Dyche, whose team missed a chance to open a larger gap above the bottom three and instead
now sit within reach of a West Ham side showing improved form.
Dyche, who took over from Ange Postecoglou in October, faces growing dissatisfaction from some supporters over Forest’s style and results, yet Dyche argued that one fixture should not dictate his fate, especially after steering the team through a mixed but generally steadier recent spell in the league.
Speculation over Dyche’s job security has intensified before the Wolves clash, but Dyche told reporters: "I don’t think over one game, it is going to be that extreme where suddenly [Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis] is going to suddenly say ‘right, we need to change everything at the club for a fourth time’. "
Dyche added more context on his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis and the project he inherited, stating: "You never know, but I am a realist and he is as well, about the current situation and what we took over here. The ownership have always had contact with me. The owner is well awareand I made it clear to himthat this was never going to be smooth sailing all the way through. "
Dyche highlighted that Forest’s trajectory was never expected to be simple, referring to previous swings in results: "We have seen some hiccups; some good days and not so good days. We came off after the [Crystal] Palace game and got a really important point. A good point with 10 men and he was congratulating me. It is the reality of life as a modern manager. "
He also underlined the modern scrutiny on managers, noting the contrast between personal recognition and criticism: "On the same day I was nominated for Manager of the Month, people are saying I should be sacked. That is a new one for me and I have been doing this a long time. This is the modern way, it is not about good or bad. This is not me protecting myself, it’s just my view. There should be pressure on managers, that is our job, trying to deliver. "
Forest’s recent league run offers some support to Dyche’s stance, with only one defeat in the last five Premier League matches, and Dyche pointed out that a victory over Wolves would give Forest 11 points from six games, while the Opta supercomputer currently rates Forest’s chances of relegation at 15.4 per cent.
Thank you for your support at Elland Road tonight. pic.twitter.com/T1ryRRT0UpNottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 6, 2026
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves key players and attacking focus
For Nottingham Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White again draws attention, as Gibbs-White has scored twice in his last four Premier League appearances against former club Wolves, and has only found the net in more separate league matches against Brighton, with four, and Manchester United, with three, highlighting a consistent impact in certain fixtures.
Wolves look to Tolu Arokodare in attack after Tolu scored a second Premier League goal during Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea, when Tolu registered a joint team-high three attempts, two on target, and with Joren Strand Larsen having left the club, Tolu is expected to lead the line for the rest of the campaign.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves stats, trends and Opta prediction
Opta’s data model makes Forest favourites at the City Ground, giving Nottingham Forest a 60.2 per cent chance of victory, compared with an 18.9 per cent probability for Wolves and a 20.9 per cent likelihood of a draw, reflecting both Wolves’ away struggles and Forest’s stronger outlook in this fixture.
| Result | Opta win probability |
|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest win | 60.2% |
| Draw | 20.9% |
| Wolves win | 18.9% |
Historical numbers, however, show Forest have struggled at home to Wolves, with Forest failing to win any of the last nine meetings at the City Ground in all competitions, drawing five and losing four, while each of the four most recent home games against Wolves has ended level.
Forest’s record against teams bottom of the table also raises some concern, as Forest lost 3-0 at home to West Ham in August when the Hammers were 20th, and the last side to be beaten at home by two different clubs occupying 20th in one Premier League season was Everton in 2022-23, against Wolves and Southampton.
Wolves’ away form remains poor, with no win in 14 Premier League away games, drawing three and losing 11, their longest such sequence in the competition since 2003-04, when Wolves did not win any of 19 away fixtures, recording seven draws and 12 defeats across that campaign.
Midweek away fixtures have been another issue for Wolves, who are without a victory in six such Premier League matches, with three draws and three losses since a 4-1 success at Brentford in December 2023, and Wolves have scored only five league goals away from home this season, their lowest total after 12 away games in any league campaign.
That low away goal tally has not necessarily signalled relegation for other clubs, as none of the last four teams with five or fewer goals after 12 Premier League away matches, specifically Nottingham Forest in 2022-23, Brighton in 2017-18, Aston Villa in 2014-15 and Crystal Palace in 2013-14, ended those seasons in the bottom three.
As Forest welcome Wolves, the match brings together Dyche’s effort to stabilise Nottingham Forest’s season, Wolves’ extended difficulties away from home, and the slim current relegation probability suggested by Opta, with the result likely to shape the mood around the City Ground and the wider relegation battle.
