These are exciting times down at Nottingham Forest and for the first time in a long while, the supporters seem optimistic about the season ahead.

It’s been a tough couple of seasons for the Reds and their fans, who just about saw their team survive on the final day of the campaign last time out.

A comprehensive 3-0 win over Ipswich Town at the City Ground was enough to keep them up, but this season the Reds should certainly have loftier ambitions going forward.

And two players we at the FLW have had our eyes on for a while now are the striking duo of Ben Brereton and Zack Clough.

The responsibility on their shoulders last season because of the injury to Britt Assombalonga was huge, and for two young players still finding their feet at this level, it was tough.

But moving forward, they’re two players that could be absolutely massive for the Reds and we saw glimpses of their quality last time out.

Brereton was the boy-wonder that broke into the first team to great effect, scoring a couple of crucial goals that in the long-term definitely contributed in keeping the team in the division.

Whilst the hard-working Clough, signed from Bolton Wanderers, showed some promising signs of pace, movement and the ability to find the back of the net himself.

But next season they have a huge role to play in a team that needs to be looking up the table instead of down it all the time.

The responsibility won’t be so great because of the return to fitness of Assombalonga, and any potential striking incomings will only add to the competition in the ranks already.

But give these two time and, most importantly match minutes, and we’re sure they’ll begin to make a difference sooner rather than later.

Forest fans... what do you make of the news? Are you excited about the development of these two players? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!