Sean Dyche Slams ‘Unacceptable’ First-Half Display as Nottingham Forest Exit FA Cup Against Wrexham

Sean Dyche launched a scathing assessment of Nottingham Forest’s first-half performance after his side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wrexham on penalties, admitting he would have substituted every player at the interval had it been possible.

The Premier League outfit found themselves in deep trouble at the break at the Racecourse Ground, trailing 2-0 after a blistering spell from the hosts. Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone struck in quick succession to leave the Welsh side firmly in control and Forest staring at an embarrassing early exit.

Dyche made several changes at half-time, and his side showed a marked improvement after the restart. Igor Jesus pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, but Forest’s hopes were quickly dented when Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal cushion just 10 minutes later.

Substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi then emerged as Forest’s saviour, scoring twice late on to force extra time. However, Wrexham completed a memorable giant-killing by prevailing 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out, sealing one of the standout results of the third round.

Dyche was visibly furious after the match and did not hold back in his assessment of those involved in the opening 45 minutes, repeatedly branding their display “absolutely unacceptable”.

“The first half was completely unacceptable,” Dyche said. “I made that clear to the players. Certain individuals know exactly who they are, and they need to look in the mirror because that performance was unacceptable to the badge.”

He added: “The strange thing about football is that the players who came on in the second half were a credit. We started to look like a Premier League side. Callum’s two goals were excellent and got us back into the game, but penalties are a lottery.

“We created enough chances overall, but you simply cannot perform like that in the first half. It’s unacceptable to me and to the club.”

Dyche also suggested the performance explained why some players struggle for regular minutes.

“They all knock on your door asking why they aren’t playing, and the evidence is right there,” he said. “Not everyone, but too many were not ready. You have to train properly, prepare properly, and be ready when your chance comes.”

Asked whether he would have made more changes at the interval, Dyche was emphatic.

“I’d have taken all of them off, including myself,” he said. “The tempo, the mentality, the intent — it just wasn’t there. It was slow and passive. After the changes, the second half was terrific, but you cannot give teams a head start in football.”

The defeat came just days after Forest secured a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory over West Ham, sealed by an 89th-minute penalty from Morgan Gibbs-White.

For Wrexham, the victory provides a major boost as they continue their push for the Championship play-off places. The club currently sit ninth and will take enormous confidence from eliminating top-flight opposition.

Manager Phil Parkinson hailed the night as historic for the club, who were facing Premier League opposition for the first time since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover five years ago.

“We asked if we could make our own history tonight, and we certainly did,” Parkinson said. “I was delighted with the performance. We would have loved to win it in normal time, but the players wanted a bit more excitement.

“The squad showed its importance. Even when fatigue set in, we carried a threat. When it went to extra time, everyone rallied — the players and the supporters.”

Parkinson also paid tribute to goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who saved two penalties in the shoot-out to secure victory.

“Arthur is a colossus,” he said. “He’s such a commanding presence. You always feel you have a chance with him in goal.”