Nottingham Forest have had a pretty stagnant couple of years where they have gone through managers and players far too quickly and paid the price.

After sacking Mark Warburton, it felt like Forest were finally on the way back under Aitor Karanka, who led the club to a great start to the season, but he was forced out of the club at the turn of the year, replaced by Martin O'Neill.

Karanka was loved by the fans, and it seemed the owners too for a while, as he was backed in the transfer market, spending big money on continental talents.

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A trio of relatively unknown attacking talents joined the club - Joao Carvalho, Gil Dias, Diogo Goncalves.

Joao Carvalho showed hints of brilliance under Karanka, and while he wasn't the finished product, he showed glimpses of class. Despite this, he has been frozen out under O'Neill, and has been a mere spectator in many games.

Gil Dias left the club in January, as he returned to his parent club Monaco, terminating his loan move.

Now, it seems that Diogo Goncalves should have done the same. After joining from Benfica on loan, it seemed as though he was going to be one to watch this term.

He had showed promise for Benfica and had racked up a few minutes in European competition, so for Forest to sign him was a great statement, and many thought they were 'doing a Wolves' by signing foreign exports that would take them up.

At one stage under Karanka, it looked like the play-offs were a very realistic aim, but he ended up leaving after disagreements with the board.

Play-offs will no longer be achieved, thanks to a poor run under Martin O'Neill, with many fans already calling for his head.

Goncalves has hardly got a look in, though.

He has made just seven Championship appearances, and has more minutes in the EFL Cup, where he made three starts.

He hasn't looked great, but foreign talents often need a few months to settle in and get used to the league - he hasn't been given the chance to do that, neither did Dias.

It seems certain he won't return next season, but for Golcalves' development, he will surely be regretting not leaving in January.