With the competitiveness of the Sky Bet Championship never in doubt, signings made in the summer before the beginning of the season are often hugely crucial in relation to success or failure during the course of the campaign.
Forest have struggled in recent years, finishing 14th, 16th and 21st in the past 3 seasons, but are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs, with some of the most prestigious history, not only in the Sky Bet Championship but in the English game.
This year Forest fans will be hoping to have a real go at the playoffs, and this is a list of 3 potential signings I think Forest should make to try to challenge.
David Button – Fulham – Forest are desperately in need of a goalkeeper. Last season academy graduate Jordan Smith ended up as the number one at the City Ground, and although he impressed, Forest are in need of a more experienced keeper to claim the number 1 spot this campaign. Fulham man David Button has been linked with a move to Forest, and this would be a great addition in my opinion. Button had a big part to play in helping Fulham to a play-off place last season, but ultimately lost his place to Marcus Bettinelli, and will be looking for a move himself to get back to first team football.
Martin Braithwaite – Toulouse – For several seasons now I have thought that Toulouse striker Martin Braithwaite would be suited to the English game. He is extremely pacey, has great aerial abilities, and is able to finish very well, a complete striker some would say. With the uncertain future of striker Britt Assombolonga at Forest, strikers are definitely top of the list, and Braithwaite would be a great addition, although they would more than likely face huge competition from numerous clubs in Europe. A striker with the talent of Braithwaite would be a real show of intent by the club, who will want to push on and improve from a disappointing few seasons.
Michael Hector – Like Button, Forest have also been linked with Chelsea defender Michael Hector, who spent a season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt last campaign. Again, central defenders are in short supply at Forest, and Hector would be a shrewd signing by Mark Warbuton if it were to happen. He has an abundance of talent, but fails, like so many other Chelsea youngsters to push for a place in the squad, so a move to Forest could help him develop and get used to playing week in week out, and would be a great move for ‘the Reds’.