Nottingham Forest have endured a tough start to their Championship campaign and they are currently lingering in mid-table, neither pushing for promotion or threatened by relegation.
But for three wins in a row at the back end of November, Forest could well be in the bottom three, but the trio of victories propelled them towards the safety of mid-table.
Philippe Montanier has adopted a three at the back formation at The City Ground and it has paid dividends for Forest in recent weeks.
The addition of Thomas Lam in midfield has shored up the Forest midfield and back line.
There has been speculation around the future of Montanier with a takeover expected to be completed imminently but you would hope the new owners will give Monatnier some money to play with for new additions in January.
Forest have been linked with League Two hotshot Omar Bogle recently, but what would their team look like with him in it?
Here, I will look at Forest's potential 2017 line up...
GK: Vladimir Stojkovic
Since the big Serb arrived from Maccabi Haifa in the summer, he has produced some impressive goalkeeping displays to keep Forest in games.
Stojkovic has established himself as the Forest number one as we head towards the second half of the season.
The Serbian international will play a big part this season for Forest if they are going to keep their heads above water.
Forest often find themselves on the back foot in games, so the onus is in Stojkovic to keep them in the game.
RWB: Eric Lichaj
The American international has been with Nottingham Forest since 2013 but he now looks to be showing his best performances and is relishing his new role at wing back.
Lichaj's performances have vastly improved since he has moved from right back to wing back and he has been a key player for Forest lately.
The American's energy up and down the right wing is a huge outlet for Forest when they're attacking, his willingness to get forward means the midfielders always have an option on the ball and he delivers quality when he gets to the final third.
CB: Michael Mancienne
Mancienne graduated from the Chelsea youth system but he only made four first team appearances before he left for Germany.
Forest signed him from Hamburger SV in 2014 and he has since gone on to make 78 appearances.
Mancienne offers Forest some defensive solidity and the ability to play out from the back if they want to.
CB: Daniel Ayala
Ayala has plummeted down the centre back pecking order at Middlesbrough, so January could see him depart the North East.
Forest could do with an organiser in the middle of their back three who can pull the wide centre backs around and tell them where they need to be.
Similarly to Mancienne, Ayala is a top defender, but his game isn't limited to defending, he can play a bit too.
He knows how to win games, as he was a part of the Boro team which got promotion last year, so his experience could vastly improve the Forest back line.
CB: Matt Mills
Since his arrival at The City Ground in 2015, Mills has excelled and flourished into one of the league's best defenders.
Mills works well as a wide centre back because of his pace and defensive abilities - if anyone gets in behind the wing backs, Mills is there to cover.
Mills has also earned himself a reputation of being one of the best goalscoring centre backs around.
Last season he notched five goals, an impressive return for a centre back, and is a threat when attacking set pieces and great to have when defending them.
LWB: Matty Cash
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene for Forest this season, establishing himself as one of Montanier's starting wing backs.
His youthful exuberance allows him to bomb up and down the wing to get forward and supplement the attack.
Cash is a hard worker too, he will get back and do his defensive duties as well as attacking, which is why he suits the wing back role so well.
CDM: Thomas Lam
Lam has been a huge part of Forest's recent success.
Lam came under some scrutiny early on in the season from Forest fans after his summer arrival from PEC Zwolle.
But moving to the holding midfield role has allowed Lansbury and Kasami to get forward and support the attack, which has seen Lansbury to produce some of his best performances in his Forest career.
Lam is willing to hold back in midfield so Forest don't get caught with everyone forward.
CM: Matty James
Matty James has found himself out of favour at Leicester, so he could seek a move away in January.
James came through the youth system at Old Trafford and his move to Leicester worked out for a while but over the last couple of years, he has struggled for games.
Despite the fact he hasn't been playing, James is a quality player and with the absence of Henri Lansbury, he would be a shrewd singing for Forest.
He can get forward and help the attackers and he is willing to work hard out of position.
CM: Henri Lansbury
The Arsenal academy graduate made the switch to The City Ground in 2012 and he has shown his quality over the last four years.
His performances have attracted interest from the Premier League in recent years but he has stayed loyal to Forest.
Lansbury has excelled in recent weeks, largely due to the addition of Thomas Lam in the midfield, which has enabled him to push forward, where he is at his best.
If Forest are to start climbing the table in the new year, then Lansbury will be a big part of it.
CAM: Ben Osborn
Another product of the Forest youth system, Osborn already has in excess of 100 appearances for The Reds.
He has been linked with a move to the Premier League but seems to remain happy at Forest.
After beginning his career as a winger, Osborn has been brought inside by Montanier to play behind the striker and he has excelled.
He has found that he is more involved in play and he can impose himself more on the game.
ST: Omar Bogle
Bogle is League Two's leading marksman at the minute and this has lead to him attracting interest from numerous Championship teams.
Forest are one of those and they could be in with a great chance of getting him.
With Britt Assombalonga seemingly always carrying a knock, and Vellios and Bendtner not prolific goal scorers, Montanier could go all out to sign Bogle.
The Grimsby striker is clinical in front of goal, so if Forest could get him in and firing, he could propel them up the league.
Nottingham Forest fans - do you agree with this XI? What would you change about this line-up? Let us know in the comments below...