Sky Bet Championship club Nottingham Forest have had a turbulent time of things over the past five years, with boardroom unrest, several managerial sackings and plenty of below-par performances on the pitch.
The Reds recently turned to French boss Philippe Montanier in a bid to revive their fortunes on the pitch and with 10 points from their first six games, the early shoots of recovery are evident.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa saw Forest come from behind to draw level late on and earn a share of the spoils, against a team which has spent the summer spending money at a frantic rate.
Despite Forest’s struggles on the pitch over the past few years there is a real sense that the team has underachieved, given the fact that the club has still been fortunate enough to boast some terrific players.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at Nottingham Forest’s three best signings of the last five years.
Michail Antonio
When Stuart Pearce took a punt on Sheffield Wednesday winger Antonio it was very much a shot in the dark, with many Owls followers believing that they had received value for money by cashing in for £1.5 million.
The former non-league winger spent just over a season at the City Ground and tore the Championship apart, scoring 15 goals from 46 league games.
After expressing a desire to leave the club at the start of his second season in the East Midlands, Forest granted Antonio’s wishes selling him to West Ham for a fee which could eventually reach £9 million.
Britt Assombalonga
The striker was another Stuart Pearce signing and although the former Peterborough United man missed most of last season through injury, he has already done enough to suggest he is the real deal.
The 23-year-old netted 15 goals during his first season with the club in 2014/15, despite picking up an injury in February which would keep him out for over a year.
His finishing qualities have been unrivalled at the City Ground over the last five years and after signing a five-year deal recently, it looks as though the Reds fans can relish watch Assombalonga during his peak years.
Henri Lansbury
The Nottingham Forest midfielder arrived from Arsenal for a paltry £1 million in 2012 and his value, combined with his undoubted talent ensure he is one of the club’s best pieces of business in recent years.
The man who has captained the Reds on several occasions over the last four years has scored 27 goals in 130 appearances for the club, becoming a popular figure with supporters of the club.
Lansbury will see his Nottingham Forest contract come to an end in the summer and given his form so far this season the Reds faithful will be hoping to see the club tie down the 25-year-old ahead of his very best years.
Nottingham Forest fans, do you agree that these three are the club’s best signings in the last five years? Who else should be included? Let us know in the comments below!!!