Time of Change

          Over the last few weeks the fortunes at Nottingham Forest have turned. Unbeaten in their last five, they head into a game at home to local rivals Derby County on Sunday. The signings made by Aitor Karanka in January have really started to gel and are making a difference. That, and the departure of dead wood, such as Matt Mills, Armand Traore and Jamie Ward through various channels has seen a strong squad emerge. Cardiff City agreed a swap deal with Forest on deadline day, seeing Lee Tomlin and Jamie Ward swap clubs until the end of the season, and this has seemed like crucial business for Forest so far...

          Before signing for Forest on loan, Lee Tomlin was having an unremarkable season. He signed for Cardiff in the summer window, made thirteen appearances, scoring one goal, up until deadline day when he moved Trentside. since then he has scored three goals and assisted two in 5 appearances for the club. This has come out of nowhere though, upon inspection his stats are unremarkable. So what does this mean? Is Karanka instilling deep rooted confidence in his players to trust there ability? Who knows? All I can tell you is that it's working.

Tomlin celebrates his first Forest goal.

          Joe Lolley has had a similar impact on the club, making five appearances since signing and already scoring twice and assisting another two. The younger winger, who signed a four and a half year deal with Forest in January began his career in non-league and he can be considered as one of the success stories from non-league football. Across 4 years he has made ninety appearances for Huddersfield and he looks to be a fantastic signing.

Joe Lolley and Ben Osborn celebrate Lolley's second goal for Forest.

          Not only has Karanka signed good players. He is also utilising those we already had in a better manner. Ben Brereton is scoring goals, as is Matty Cash. Jordan Smith is being protected from criticism and has some experienced goalkeepers around him to learn from. Joe Worrall is being rested and allowed time to recover, rather than playing every game as our only decent centreback. Ben Osborn is also playing out of his skin, as one of Forest's most consistent players over the recent seasons.

          The changes made at Forest stand the reds in good stead for the remainder of the season and looking forward to next season, if Karanka gets rid of more of the deadwood, and then brings in the right players to replace them, then I don't see why we can't make the play-offs.

Until next time.

Craig