New Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier spoke to the media for the first time yesterday and announced his intentions to play attacking, entertaining football, which will be music to the ears of the Forest faithful.

Last season wasn’t always pretty and Dougie Freedman was rightfully sacked in March following some mediocre football at best.

In fairness to Freedman he was unfortunate in the sense that he was unable to sign any players who commanded a fee, due to an overhanging transfer embargo which had been placed upon the club.

The 2016/17 campaign will see Forest play their first season with a foreign head coach at the helm and with a director of football also in place at the City Ground, there is a real sense that the club are working hard behind the scenes to ensure a genuine crack at a successful season.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three players who will dictate the club’s 2016/17 campaign.

David Vaughan

Vaughan

Forest made a significant signing towards the back end of last season when David Vaughan penned a new contract at the City Ground.

His performances during last season were incredible at times and he finished the season with the best tackles completed ration in the whole division.

Vaughan was unlucky not to be named as the club’s Player of the Year last season and his presence was sorely missed when he did miss games last season.

The Welshman is still in France with the Wales squad as they prepare for their quarter-final with Belgium on Friday.

Britt Assombalonga

Britt Assombalonga00

The Nottingham Forest striker will be a massive player for the club this season and his goals were missed badly last season.

Forest were among the lowest scorers in the Championship last season and that was largely down to the fact that Assomablonga was missing for most of the campaign.

His goal on the final day at MK Dons signified that he hasn’t lost his lethal touch in the penalty area and the Forest faithful will hope he can hit the ground running this season.

On his day the ex-Peterborough United man is among the very best strikers in the league and 2016/17 could be massive for him.

Chris Cohen

cohen

Cohen is another Forest player who made an impressive return to the first-team fold last season, after a prolonged spell on the treatment table.

The former West Ham United academy prospect is very much Mr Nottingham Forest and next season will be the start of his tenth season at the City Ground.

After picking up no fewer than three serious knee ligament injuries whilst playing in a left-back role, Cohen returned last season in a more natural central midfield position and he excelled.

Forest fell to pieces after he was substituted in March’s defeat by Derby County and that game alone went a long way to justify just how important Cohen is to Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest fans, do you think these players will dictate your season? Who else do you think is important to the club? Let us know in the comments below!!!