Nottingham Forest supporters will be hoping that Saturday's 3-1 win over Reading will be the start of a run which sees the Reds turn the corner, after a somewhat difficult start to the season.

Dougie Freedman's men have won just five games all season and have already lost eight, but all is not lost just yet, and with a run of games against teams around them over Christmas their loyal supporters will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes.

Forest haven't been playing anywhere near as bad as their results have suggested of late and even on a run of no wins in eight before the win over Derby County last month, the team were playing an attractive brand of football.

Here Football League World's Lee Clarke takes a look at FIVE Forest players who would be deserving of a Christmas bonus should they be on offer.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Dorus de Vries

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The Forest goalkeeper has really taken his chance between the posts with both hands this season and is firmly established as the club's top stopper.

The big Dutchman has kept the Reds in games single handed at times and Forest would probably be around six points lighter were it not for the commanding custodian.

Okay so the ex-Swansea City man is by no means the best keeper to ever play for Nottingham Forest, but he has really won over a lot of fans with his performances so far this season.

Eric Lichaj

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The Forest right-back has been in superb form this season and for me has been the club's Player of the Season so far.

Lichaj is what I would call a modern day full-back and gets up and down the right flank for the entire game, offering support in attack when needed.

The American defender joined from Aston Villa in 2012 and has been a reasonably astute performer since his arrival, but this season he has really showed his passion and desire to do well for the football club.

Dani Pinillos

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Spanish left-back Pinillos was an unknown quantity when Freedman picked him up on as a free agent following his release by La Liga outfit Cordoba.

I intend no exaggeration when I go onto say that the 23-year-old is the best permanent left-back I have seen at Forest in probably six or seven years - if not longer.

He has been man of the match in several games the club has played and, like Lichaj on the other side of the back four, offers support in attack.

A solid performer who was superb when up against Derby County's Johnny Russell three weeks ago, to the point where the Rams hooked him just after half-time.

Nelson Oliveira

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The Portuguese forward has come under some criticism, from myself included, for the amount of chances he misses in games.

Saturday's superb brace against Reading proved that in Oliveira, Forest may have found themselves a gem if they can keep him confident and keep supplying him with the ball.

His overall play has been reasonably good since the very first time he pulled on a Forest shirt and although the goals had dried up before his winning goal against Derby, it was never for the lack of trying.

The 23-year-old is willing to shoot from anywhere on the field which serves as a surprise to a lot of opposition teams - just ask Reading!

Ryan Mendes

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For the last portion of a Christmas bonus it was a toss up between Mendes and Jamie Ward, but I am going to give it to the Cape Verde international.

Ward has played the majority of his career in the Championship and we all knew what to expect from such a player, so whilst he has been his usual lively self, it wasn't a surprise.

Mendes signed on loan from Lille and has taken to Championship football with as much ease as what a camel would take to sand, with a series of consistently good performances.

If we could sign one loan player permanently tomorrow I would plump for Mendes at this moment in time, due to his raw pace that often leaves defenders trembling.

Forest fans... Do you agree with our assessment? What do you make to the performances of these players? Let us know below!