Sean Dyche claims stadiums are NOT as hostile as 30 years ago as Nottingham Forest prepare to face Leeds in Elland Road cauldron

Sean Dyche believes the white-hot atmospheres of English grounds are a thing of the past as Nottingham Forest prepare to take on Leeds in a relegation six-pointer.

Ahead of the meeting at Elland Road, Forest and Leeds are locked on 26 points – six points above the bottom three and with a huge chance to ease their fears of the drop.

Leeds’ home is known as one of the most intimidating in the modern game yet while he relishes the chance to step out at the ground, Dyche believes fans today are less aggressive than they once were.

He said: ‘It (Elland Road) is like most grounds now. They are not as hostile as they were 30 years ago. But in terms of the modern game, it is still hostile.

‘It’s got that real feel to it and is always a tough place to go. I like crowds like that and atmopsheres like that. It’s got a massive history and a massive fan base.

‘It will be tough but there is a good edge to what we are doing at the moment, a good competitive edge. We’ve got to go and do it again but our balance feels right at the moment.’

Dyche will check on the fitness of goalkeeper Matz Sels, who has a thigh injury, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who took a knock to the shoulder in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last weekend.

With Neco Williams suspended, deadline-day signing Luca Netz could make his debut at left-back, though nothing Dyche said suggested the German would be in the starting XI.

‘He’s a young, up-and-coming player,’ Dyche added. ‘He’s one of a number of players brought here for what comes next. That doesn’t mean he is unable to play now, but there is a future thinking behind it.’