Martin O’Neill’s reign as Nottingham Forest boss started with a 1-0 defeat at home to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.

It is not quite what O’Neill would have had in mind as the club fell to their third straight defeat in all competitions.

However, there is still plenty of football to be played and Forest are only seven points off the playoff positions in the Championship table.

There was a debut for Yohan Benalouane on Saturday as the 31-year-old featured at the heart of the defence, picking up a yellow card during his 90 minutes on the field.

Below, we have taken a look at THREE things that O’Neill’s first signing will bring to the team moving forward.

Champions League experience

It did not happen for Benalouane at Leicester City, with the centre-back making just 16 Premier League appearances during his time at the club.

It is worth remembering that this is a player with Champions League experience, however, and he was outstanding against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of Leicester’s quarter-final with the Spanish giants during the 2016-17 season.

A certain Antoine Griezmann certainly found it difficult to get the better of the Tunisia international on the night.

Character, both on and off the field

A quick look at Benalouane’s Instagram page gives an indication of his character. The art-loving defender almost thinks he is the reincarnation of Pablo Picasso and is also very much into his fashion.

O’Neill will hope that the 6ft 1in ace is a towering presence at the back, but his technical abilities are undervalued and his character will come across on the field.

The Forest supporters will certainly enjoy watching the defender, who has had some unjust criticism in the past.

Enthusiasm and some much-needed freshness

Forest have looked extremely stale in recent weeks and certainly needed a new signing to arrive and freshen the look of the team.

Not only does the team benefit, but the supporters always enjoy seeing new signings arrive, especially during a difficult period.

Benalouane has also spoken of his eagerness to work with O’Neill and by all accounts the defender had a positive debut against Bristol City.