Harry Arter admits he was "baffled" by Nottingham Forest's start to the season, which ultimately cost Sabri Lamouchi his job at the City Ground.
Arter was one of 14 signings Forest made over the course of the summer, with 13 of those being brought in by Lamouchi before he was relieved of his duties.
Forest lost their opening four games of the Championship campaign, culminating in Lamouchi losing his job on Trentside before being replaced by Chris Hughton.
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Forest have started to pick up under Hughton, too, with the Reds picking up five points from their first three games and remaining unbeaten under the 61-year-old's tutelage thus far.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Arter admits he was "baffled" by Forest's start to the season, with the midfielder insisting that the togetherness of the squad has always been there.
He said: "The manager has picked a different team to start off with and there’s been a few little tweaks. The togetherness of the squad was always there.
“It did baffle me a little bit how we weren’t getting results, because it’s such a good changing room. The lads fully respect each other and everyone seemed to really like Sabri, and he’s a good guy.
“I just think the disappointment of last season had a massive knock-on effect to this year.
“It’s a results business, which is the horrible side of football. I’m sure for the owners, they found that part tough.
“But it’s a new start for every player. Everyone has got the opportunity to start afresh with the new manager and take on some new ideas."
Arter has made five appearances since joining the Reds, and has been given the captain's armband when Lewis Grabban has been taken off during any moment in the game.
The Verdict
Forest are slowly but surely starting to improve under Hughton.
Things turned sour under Lamouchi, but results have picked up and so have the performances, which proves that a managerial change can do you good.
In Hughton, they have a manager who knows what it takes to be successful at this level and build a successful side, so it will be interesting to see where Forest finish this season.