Nottingham Forest's hopes of making a late burst for the play-offs took yet another significant hit on Tuesday night when they were defeated comfortably by Sheffield Wednesday. 

Martin O'Neill rung the changes in the Reds line-up with the likes of Sam Byram, Arvin Appiah and Luke Steele all called upon to start, but it did not work out.

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After an uneventful first half, it was Wednesday who flew out of the traps at the start of the second when George Boyd set-up Marco Matias to give the home side the lead in the 47th minute.

It was 2-0 just 11 minutes later when Lucas Joao's pass found its way to Boyd on the left-hand side of the box who then lashed a brilliant shot across Steele and into the net before Matias notched his second in the 68th minute to kill off the game.

It is a defeat that leaves O'Neill's men in tenth place and six points behind sixth-placed Aston Villa, who also have a game in hand.

But what can we learn from such a defeat? Here are THREE things..

O'Neill or Carvalho 

Soccer Football - Championship - Nottingham Forest v Sheffield Wednesday - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - September 19, 2018 Nottingham Forest's Joao Carvalho celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Pleas

With the record signing once again consigned to the bench, it looked inevitable that he would be introduced after falling behind.

But three subs were made and his number was not held aloft by the fourth official, emphasising O'Neill's apparent dislike for the 22-year-old as a player.

It seems that the board will have to make a choice this summer between the manager and the attacking midfielder, because it does not look like they will flourish together.

Byram impresses 

Despite picking up a booking, it was still an impressive return to the pitch for the West Ham United loanee and gives O'Neill another decent option for the rest of the season.

With the likes of Saidy Janko and Tendayi Darikwa all vying for that role, there is plenty of very healthy competition in at least one position for the Reds.

Lolley frustrations 

During the first half of the season, there were not too many players in the league as impressive as Joe Lolley.

Since the turn of the year, however, his dazzling form has deserted him and frustration is clearly beginning to creep into his game.

With very few other sources of creativity around him, he is clearly feeling the pressure to create and the lack of help from the likes of Grabban will only worsen the situation.