Sabri Lamouchi believes Nottingham Forest will be a match for any team in the Championship this season, if he can get the best out of winger Joe Lolley and striker Lewis Grabban.

Both players scored at the weekend as Forest recorded their first league win under their new head coach with a 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at the City Ground.

Lolley was an extremely important player for Forest last season. The 26-year-old featured in all 46 games in the Championship, scoring eleven goals and providing eleven assists as the Reds missed out on the play-offs.

Meanwhile Grabban was also a key player - scoring 16 goals in 39 Championship appearances - and has already scored two goals in three games so far this term.

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Lamouchi - who replaced Martin O'Neill in charge at the City Ground earlier this summer - believes Forest will be a match for any team in the Championship, if he can get the best out of Lolley and Grabban.

“We need him at the top. If you have Lolley at the top, Grabban at the top and all the players at the top - and if each one plays for the team - the team will be very difficult to play against,” said Lamouchi, as quoted by the Nottingham Post.

“We will have more chance to disturb the opponent then. If we don’t do that, it will be easier for the opposition.

“Our key players, like Lolley and Grabban, they did a lot on Saturday. But for sure, they can improve and they can help us more; help us to play better and be a stronger team.”

Forest finished ninth in the Championship table last season, eight points outside the play-offs.

The Reds are currently ninth in the Championship table, with four points from their opening three matches and face newly promoted Charlton Athletic in their next game at The Valley on Wednesday evening.

The Verdict

Lamouchi is right. Nottingham Forest have got some very good attacking players and when they're all at their best, they can be a match for any team in the Championship.

Forest will be hoping to challenge for the top six this season and if they are to achieve their goal, Lolley and Grabban will both be key to their chances of success.

Both players played a key role for Forest last season and have already made an encouraging start to the new campaign.