Former Nottingham Forest man Kenny Burns has hailed the "excellent" impact made by Lewis Grabban in the 1-0 win over Swansea City at the weekend.

The Reds picked up an outstanding win on the road after defeating Steve Cooper's side by a goal to nil in South Wales, with the Swans sitting at the top of the Championship table before Saturday's encounter.

It was very much a smash-and-grab win for Sabri Lamouchi's side - despite being dominated in possession throughout, it was substitute Alfa Semedo who tapped home in the 85th minute after excellent work from Grabban.

The striker picked up a loose ball on halfway and launched an electric counter-attack, before squaring to Semedo who secured Forest's third league win of the campaign.

Burns has criticised Grabban in the past for his work-rate and his demeanour up top, but the former Reds defender has now described the striker's performance against Swansea as "excellent" in his latest Nottingham Post column.

He then said: "It might surprise people to read that from me given my previous criticism of him, but his performance against Swansea had everything you would want from a striker bar a goal. It was near perfect.

"For me, his work rate last season wasn't up to the standard you expect, at times. It wasn't in the first game this season. 

"At Swansea it was more of the same from the striker given his excellent form in recent weeks. He worked hard for the team as the first line of defence and was the architect of the winner. It was a great run down the right wing to set up the goal for Alfa Semedo as he showed he is more than just a goalscorer.

"If this is how Grabban plays all season, if he stays fit, then Nottingham Forest have an elite level striker on their hands at this level."

Forest now occupy 10th spot in the Sky Bet Championship table after their victory at the Liberty Stadium - they face Barnsley at the City Ground next weekend, looking to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

The Verdict

I've never really quite understood why Grabban gets so much stick off former players, pundits and fans alike - he is the complete forward that you need at Championship level.

He does the lone striker role so well, he gets in the right positions, he scores goals, and his work-rate certainly wasn't in question after a magnificent run at the weekend.

If Forest continue to play to his strengths, then they won't be too far off promotion to the Premier League this season.