A year that started with so much hope and promise, ending with uncertainty and frustration, if turbulence is the word of 2020 then the performances of Nottingham Forest perhaps sum up what has been a very turbulent year.

Prior to Millwall at home on that sorrowful Friday night in March, the last in front of an audience of paying spectators in red, Forest had the chance to go third in the league and above Fulham, five points behind Leeds United in second who were previously well-beaten at the City Ground and six behind leaders West Bromwich Albion with ten games remaining.

Post Millwall away on Saturday gone…. The three aforementioned are all now playing in the Premier League, whilst Nottingham Forest are just one point above the relegation zone in 20^th place in the EFL Championship.

Oh how football with fans was better.

The final day drama in losing to Stoke, and the below-par performances leading up to that disaster of missing out on the playoffs in the last ten minutes of the season, forcing Forest into some kind of all-in gamble over the close season as the club completely shuffled its pack to sign a completely new first team squad whilst getting rid of one or two of their previous seasons stars.

That large amount of new players was always going to take time to settle in, little pre-season didn’t help as Forest were beaten at Barnsley in the league cup and things got worse as they suffered an opening day league loss at Queens Park Rangers. In two games the Reds had failed to produce a shot at goal.

By now Lamouchi was losing his way, a 2-0 home defeat against Cardiff and a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield after completely changing his starting XI a last throw of the dice. The Frenchman landing on a one instead of six.

Forest did finally get their first goal of the season at home against Bristol City as Luke Freeman, a new signing of course, scored against his old club, but a 2-1 defeat meant it was four straight league losses for Sabri’s Forest, seven in all competitions over the course of both campaigns, eleven without a win, the writing was on the wall.

No sooner had the ink dried, the new Manager was already announced, in true Forest fashion, Chris Hughton was already appointed as Lamouchi was still clearing his desk. A man who knew the Championship after successful spells with Newcastle and Brighton amongst others, surely the right man to get the club out of a mess.

That mess was immediately tidied with a late win at Blackburn, draws against Rotherham, Derby and Luton gave the Reds some stability as the side got used to new ways but a 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough and fans again started to ask questions again.

Finally something to be happy about. Back-to-back wins against recently promoted Coventry and Wycombe at the City Ground gave a glimmer of hope… Three straight losses at Barnsley, Bournemouth and then at home against Swansea soon brought fans again back down to earth.

A nil nil with Watford provided a positive performance against a side fancied for promotion, but one step forward, two back as an early Ryan Yates red card lead to a 2-0 loss at Reading.

Further defeats, at Norwich and Brentford frustrated even more, before a first win in seven against bottom of the table Sheffield Wednesday at least gave fans some cheer ahead of Christmas. Millwall away on Saturday was a good solid point. Nobody likes going to the Den, to come back with something was satisfying.

In all since Hughton has taken charge Forest have still flattered to deceive. In fairness, results have arguably been better than performances but three of which have come against sides in and around them in the battle for survival, some say the win at Blackburn was sheer fluke too.

Of 16 games in charge for Hughton the reds have had 4 wins 5 draws and 7 defeats. Early days, but not much promise from many of them to take away so far.

The goalkeeper Samba who was one of last season’s best players, has this season so far struggled to show his form, lacking confidence, lacking swagger, the whole situation of covid, life after Sabri, living in a country that won’t let him out, it looks to be getting to him.

In defence, Forest do have positive signs of improvement, Scott McKenna has been a fabulous signing and Loic Mbe Soh could be a star of the future. The void left by Matty Cash who moved for big money to Aston Villa is largely apparent, Cyrus Christie struggling to prevail whilst on loan from Fulham.

Question marks still hang on the ‘right’ midfield balance with fans impressed recently by the performances of another loanee Cafu, whilst injuries to Jack Colback and Fouad Bachirou along with the frequently missing Samba Sow have all frustrated, Reds manager Hughton has relied on Ryan Yates who is like marmite with fans. Some see the tough tackling competitor as one that wears his heart on his sleeve, others see a liability, enraged further by his red card at Reading.

The attacking mix too is one that is yet to be found, Lewis Grabban injured until recently is no spring chicken, Lyle Taylor started well but has been flat of late, another suffering lack of confidence perhaps? Anthony Knockaert showing glimpses, all be it more bad than good, another of the red card brigade, and if anyone has seen Joe Lolley please get in touch.

Forest next have a winnable run of fixtures and must take points from at least half of their upcoming nine or ten games otherwise they’ll go into the spring still facing huge relegation worries. The next month or two is essential for points on the board, Chris Hughton knows this, his team need to start lift off and start it fast.

Whilst the ingredients are there, somewhere, to get a team towards the top end of the Championship table, the tools and consistency will help blend the right formula. It’s certainly been eventful 2020, for many, very forgettable, Nottingham Forest are no exception to that… Let’s get the year over with and start again.

Xmas File Grading E- for effort… Which is something the Forest supporters will want to see a little more of in 2021.