Nottingham Forest have had a turbulent summer transfer window that has seen it's fair share of ups and downs.
Most notably, the sale of Michail Antonio to Premier League outfit West Ham United becomes prominent when thinking about the negatives over the last few months. The loss of Forest's star player will haunt Forest fans over the coming season, as Dougie Freedman has a huge job on his hands to replace the attacking prowess that Antonio possessed.
However, when thinking in a 'glass half full' frame of mind, Forest have done a lot of good work. They've offloaded most of their deadwood, massively reduced the wage bill, kept club captain Henri Lansbury and brought in some quality Championship players.
It's not all doom and gloom at the City Ground despite what some Forest fans may lead you to believe.
The capture of Jamie Ward and Matt Mills early in the transfer window was the start of a steady stream of incoming players, with Daniel Pinillos, Kyle Ebicilio and Chris O'Grady following them through the door. Jonny Williams, Nelson Oliveira and Ryan Mendes all reportedly became Forest players on deadline day - making the transfer window somewhat of a success.
Given Forest's financial restrictions due to the transfer embargo limiting them in terms of strengthening the squad, Dougie Freedman and Fawaz Al Hasawi have worked hard to improve the state of affairs at the City Ground. Fawaz Al Hasawi has also stated that the sale of Antonio will see Forest emerge from their embargo next summer, makes that fact doubly true.
So, with the season moving into full swing - just who will invigorate a Forest squad aiming for the top-six? Football League World reporter Nathan Fletcher runs you through who he thinks will be Forest's three key players for this season...
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE PLAYERS
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1) Henri Lansbury
After the sale of Michail Antonio, it is almost easy to forget that Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury pledged his commitment to the club amid interest from a number of clubs - most notably Burnley.
A fan favourite at the City Ground, Henri Lansbury has cemented himself as a key player in the Nottingham Forest squad for a couple of seasons and will now - after committing his future to the club - be hoping to maintain his form moving into the heart of the 2015/16 campaign.
It's a great achievement for Forest that they managed to keep a player of Lansbury's quality whilst the club struggle to make any real progress in the league. Young and hungry for success, the 24 year old is continuously proving himself in the Championship in a red shirt and will be entering his prime in the next few years.
Add a bit more consistency to his overall game and for me, Henri Lansbury is as good as it gets in the Sky Bet Championship.
The midfielder is able to control a midfield by making his presence known. Hard tackles, quality passing and a desire to get forward are continuously becoming Lansbury's trademark at Forest as he continues to improve his abilities. Being made club-captain last season seemed to reinvigorate his passion for the club and his character in the dressing room is well documented.
If he can stay fit and consistent for the whole of this season, then Lansbury will be a key player for Nottingham Forest.
2) Matt Mills
One thing that Forest lacked last season after the injuries to Chris Cohen and Andy Reid, was the leadership qualities needed to unite the squad in times of pressure.
That is exactly what Matt Mills has bought to the squad since signing from Bolton in the summer transfer window.
A coup on a free transfer, the defender has already guaranteed himself a first team place in Dougie Freedman's squad and appears to be the leader that is needed at the City Ground.
If Mills is to forge a consistent partnership with either Michael Mancienne, Kelvin Wilson or Jack Hobbs, then I'm confident that he can become a rock at the back that solidifies the whole side.
When heads drop or the teams shape is broken, Mills could be the one to sort things out and get the team playing football. Although often criticized for his long ball approach to the game, Mills brings goals and a defensive stability to the team.
His experience at this level will also be fundamental as the season goes on, particularly in a team relying on youth at this moment in time. Young players such as Tyler Walker, Jorge Grant and Oliver Burke may look to the commanding centre-back for support if things aren't going their way.
On the whole, I believe that Mills was a great acquisition for a Forest side that needed defensive stability after a poor 2014/15 season and will be a key player for the side this season.
3) Ben Osborn
Most Forest fans think of that last minute winner away at Derby County when you say the name 'Ben Osborn'.
But it's important not to limit the youngster to that one moment.
Osborn became a first-team regular for spells of last season as his ability increased exponentially. Consistently playing to a high level, the 21 year old midfielder makes a surprisingly huge impact on the game at such a young age.
His versatility and ability to play anywhere in midfield is quickly becoming an asset that Dougie Freedman is keen to utilize. The fact that he can pick a pass from anywhere and glue the ball to his foot when needed means that he is fast becoming a big name in the Championship. And we all know that he can come up with some wonderful moments of magic.
Not only the goal at Derby comes to mind, but also his sublime finish against Reading last season from 30+ yards out.
Most can see that he has the potential to be a superb player as his career develops and that the fact that he is a Nottingham Forest academy graduate has hit home with fans. Derby born, Derby bred - but developed at the Nottingham Forest academy - he is already a fan favourite at the City Ground.
His name is sung around the City Ground even when he isn't playing. Whether he's on the bench or at home through illness, you'll hear his name being chanted. At such a young age, this shows the impact he has made at the City Ground since breaking through into the first team.
If the youngster improves at the same rate that he did last season, then there's no doubt that Forest fans are in for a treat this season.