44 days have passed since Stoke City ended Nottingham Forest’s chances of reaching the Championship playoffs last season… Quite a significant number since the greatest Manager of all time in the Reds coveted history lasted exactly that at Leeds United in 1974 before taking on the job at Forest a year later. Whilst the legendary Brian Clough would go on to create unprecedented success at the City Ground following 44 days of misery in West Yorkshire, hope is still that Sabri Lamouchi can create his own bit of Forest history following a reflective period post-season of the same amount of time in which Clough held at Leeds.

That time has been spent wisely by Lamouchi building his squad depth in a way that looks like making Forest chunkier, stronger, more solid and more championship-like throughout. In comes Jack Colback, the ginger Pirlo and Lyle Taylor a proven goalscorer at the level with a touch of quality up top to ease the weight from Lewis Grabban’s shoulders. Luke Freeman was every bit a Championship baller for both Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers before moving to Premier League Sheffield United for a huge fee and Tyler Blackett long proved himself as a top defender with Reading following a move from Manchester United in 2016.

And whilst Fouad Bachirou may not have the experience of the division, Comoros International Fred as he’s affectionately known, now aged 30, has the experience of a player that knows how to mix it amongst Europe’s best. So too the rumoured targets of Nicholas Ioannou and Miguel Angel Guerrero who both have Champions League experience. Ioannou a former Manchester United defender who has three titles with Cypriot highflyers APOEL is physical, gutsy and game with 18 international caps. Guerrero an old skool type striker born in Spain who works hard and is not afraid to get stuck in.

Despite the sale of Matty Cash to Aston Villa the club are in a better and stronger position than they were this time last year, the type of players this summer that Lamouchi has a) brought in and b) has an eye on, tell that Forest are adding ‘experience’ to what they already have. Something which was needed in numbers evidently last season.

And whilst Joe Worrall and even Tiago Silva may well be rumoured to be next, the club are at least in a position to immediately replace them, even if they get few million in the bank on top.

Tomorrow Nottingham Forest take on Barnsley in the first round of the Carabao League Cup in a match at Oakwell that might bring back memories of a last minute defeat which went a long way towards Forest eventually missing out on the Championship playoffs.

In effect, that 93^rd minute Patrick Schmidt goal went an even bigger way to keeping Barnsley in the division. No time for thank you’s or condolences though, the Reds must forget, move on and impose themselves like they should have done back in July. No time for 5-4-1 either. Forest and Lamouchi need to now believe in the quality they have in attack.

Sabri Lamcouchi, keen to forget about Forest’s collapse last season is a man intent on putting things right. As fans divide opinion on the Frenchman more than ever before it is key that the Reds get off to a good start to quash the boo boys that lie simmering beneath those who still hope the club, led by Sabri, do well.

Lamouchi stated in yesterdays press conference “I never find a reason or excuse about our mistakes, so I don’t want to find an excuse for the beginning of the season. On Saturday we have the Carabao Cup and it is a game we will go there to win, it is as simple as that.”

Lamouchi said on last season’s horrible final few weeks capitulation “It was tough but this is a new chapter now. I am just looking forward and I am very happy to be here again and to start the new season with the same project.”

“We need to build again, to work hard again, be more consistent and learn from our mistakes. At the end, it was just our fault and nothing else. We need to control what we can control, on the pitch, around the pitch, before the game and after the game.”

Lamouchi is likely to be without Samba Sow for the trip to Barnsley and will probably rest Joe Lolley who has shin splints whilst Tiago Silva, rumoured with a move to Olympiakos is not available either.

Tyler Blackett could get a first start with the Reds other new signings potentially featuring for the first time. Kick Off is at 3pm with the match only available on iFollow for £10. For more information visit the Nottingham Forest website here.

*Main image @NFFC Manager Sabri Lamouchi looking ‘forward’ to the new season.