Vitor Pereira reveals what he told Nottingham Forest players ahead of Europa League win over Fenerbahce

Nottingham Forest head coach Victor Pereira said he had urged his players to “speak up” before securing a dominant victory at Fenerbahce in the first leg of their tie. Europa League knockout play-offs.

It was a dream start for the Portuguese coach in his first match in charge as Forest recorded the biggest away win in their European history.

Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and captain Morgan Gibbs-White capped a dominant performance that could easily have produced an even wider margin.

Pereira told TNT Sports: “We were lucky to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It's only halftime, we have to be consistent, the schedule is tight and difficult.

“Everyone has to be ready to help the team. That’s what I ask of them.

“I realized before coming that the players had a lot of quality. They need results but they need to enjoy the game.

“If they love to play, they can reach a high level. They need organization and confidence. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch. They did it.”

Forest currently sit just three points above the Premier League relegation zone and survival remains the club's main focus this season.

However, progressing in Europe would significantly improve the morale of a team playing continental football for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, having won the European Cup twice under Brian Clough.

They will host the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday February 26 and are now strong favorites to progress to the knockout stages, where Midtjylland or Real Betis await.

One of the major problems for Forest this season has been managerial upheaval, with Pereira becoming their fourth manager of the campaign following spells under Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche, all of whom favored different tactical approaches.

Despite this, Gibbs-White said the team quickly adapted to the 57-year-old's ideas.