Nottingham Forest are on course to turn their season around, after a disappointing start to the campaign.

When Philippe Montanier was relieved of his duties in January, it looked increasingly likely that Forest would face a relegation battle heading into the second-half of the season.

However, since caretaker manager Gary Brazil was appointed, the club have had an upturn in fortunes, winning three from their last four league games. Some good business over the course of the January sales, as well as the emergence of some promising youngsters, have lifted spirits and then some in the east Midlands.

The recent results have eased relegation fears, and Forest’s latest win, against big-spending Aston Villa, moved them level on points with Steve Bruce’s side, an amazing thought prior to the start of the campaign.

With a big upturn in form and Championship survival looking a real possibility, here are three things that could still ruin Forest’s season…

Failure to appoint Brazil permanently

Recent victories have shown that caretaker manager Gary Brazil is getting the best out of the current Forest squad.

The club’s only defeat in the time Brazil has been in charge came at Elland Road, against a high-flying Leeds United side.

Paul Heckingbottom and Nigel Clough ruled themselves out of the running for the Forest job, and with that in mind, the club could do a lot worse than appointing the man currently holding the reins.

Recent results will not have gone unnoticed by owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi, and he must now act to appoint Brazil permanently.

Failures to do so, and yet another change in management, could undo all the recent work the club has done, and ultimately see them slip back into a relegation battle.

Takeover troubles

At the turn of the year, Forest’s controversial owner Al-Hasawi was close to completing a deal that would’ve seen a US-based consortium buy 80% of the club.

The proposed deal, involving John Jay Moores, fell through last month, leading to both parties stating their disappointment.

Al-Hasawi does not have many fans left amongst Forest supporters, and it remains to be seen whether he looks to sell a majority share in the club, in the near future.

With things going right on the pitch, the Reds don’t need more distractions off it. Any takeover talk between now and the end of the season needs to be both productive and swift, so that the club can keep focused on what is important to the fans.

Derby promotion

Forest and bitter rivals Derby County are having completely different seasons.

Whilst Forest are looking to avoid relegation, Steve McClaren’s Derby side are in the hunt for a play-off place, currently sitting just outside the top-six.

Derby’s potential promotion this campaign could ruin the end of the season for Forest fans, whatever position they find themselves in.

However, the Reds could still have an impact on stopping the Rams gaining promotion.

At the start of December, Derby defeated Forest 3-0 at Pride Park, and Gary Brazil’s side will be looking for revenge when the two sides next meet in March.

Whilst the result that day may not stop Derby gaining promotion, it could have a serious effect on their Play-Off hopes, especially with how tight it is at the top of the table.