Nottingham Forest have made an encouraging start to their Sky Bet Championship campaign under Sabri Lamouchi, but a poor sequence of results over the past few matches has seen them fall out of the promotion places.

The Reds are without a win in their last five matches and have lost their last two, a run which has seen the team fall to tenth in the table, three points outside the play-off - although they do have a game in hand on all of the sides above them.

However, there's still plenty of time for Forest to get their season back on track and the Reds' start to the season under Lamouchi has given fans at the City Ground plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about their chances of returning to the Premier League.

Robert Earnshaw, who scored 45 goals for Forest between 2008 and 2011, believes that the Reds have what it takes to win promotion to top flight.

Speaking to The Athletic the former striker delivered his verdict on Forest's promotion chances and admitted that he likes the direction the team are heading under Lamouchi.

He said: “I think Forest have a chance [of promotion], yes. I like what they are doing, I like the team, I like what the manager has brought in and you can see progression there.

“They have a good spirit about them. They have passion and they have good players right through the side. They have good potential to go up into the Premier League. At the very least, I think they are capable of challenging for the play-offs.”

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The Verdict

Even though results over the last few matches haven't been good enough, Forest have still made an encouraging start to the season under Lamouchi and there are plenty of reasons for fans at the City Ground to be positive going into the second half of the campaign.

Forest are still in a strong position in the league table and the fact that they haven't won for five games and are still only three points outside the play-offs - with a game in hand - shows just how good their start was.

You have to give credit to Lamouchi for the way he's been able to come in and make an impact. If he can bring in a few more players in the January transfer window, Forest have a great chance of finishing the season in the top six.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.