Nottingham Forest defender Murillo discusses the impact of new boss Vitor Pereira after Europa League win over Fenerbahce
Murillo celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Fenerbahce(Image: Getty)
Star defender Murillo is convinced Nottingham Forest can build on their winning start to Vitor Pereira’s tenure as head coach.
A few days after taking up the City Ground hot seat as Sean Dyche’s replacement, Pereira steered his team to an impressive victory over Fenerbahce. The Reds took a big step toward the last 16 of the Europa League with their convincing 3-0 play-off first leg triumph in Istanbul on Thursday night.
In a season in which they have had four different managers, securing Premier League survival is the absolute priority for Forest in the coming weeks. But they still have designs on doing well in Europe, and Murillo is positive about their prospects of doing both.
Help us stay visible by adding us as a Preferred Source in your search settings
“We know how difficult it is, because four managers, four different ideas, it’s difficult,” said the Brazilian, when asked about the challenges of this term. “But now I think Vitor is going to stay with us until the end of the season and I think he can give his idea to overcome the bad moment that we were going through.
“Now I think it is the light at the end of the tunnel. We can see it. I think just believing in him is important and make what he says.
“We have to keep working hard, that’s the main point, run a lot, more communication inside the pitch. We did this (against Fenerbahce). Believing in his work is most important. We had some problems with the last gaffers but now we have to keep looking forward and grab his (Pereira’s) idea so that we can come back towards the top again.”
Murillo set the visitors on the path to victory in Turkey with a terrific opening goal. Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White then got in on the act in a game where the Reds were in almost complete control.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Get all the Nottingham Forest latest via our Facebook page
Pereira set Forest up to be positive from the off at the Chobani Stadyumu. They played with freedom and courage, and could have increased their goal tally several times over. Amid a turbulent campaign which has seen Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Dyche all depart, the result and performance brought a great sense of relief.
“The main point is the gaffer,” Murillo said. “The gaffer passed to us this confidence and we got it.
“I think the winning spirit we had last season has come back. I think it’s early to say this but I think it is the light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone knows we have a good team, good attack, young players, we had a lot of things to improve and I think with Vitor we’re going to make a good job and go back towards the top of the table.
“I think the most important thing is we’ve got his idea. Before the game he had everybody together, all the players, all the staff, all the physios. That is the most important thing. It makes the team stronger. I think it is this, I know it is just the beginning but I think he will do a great job.”
Do you agree with Murillo? Click HERE to have your say