Sign up NOW for the latest Reds news and views direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

First Nottingham Forest goals for Lewis Grabban and Joao Carvalho earned the Reds a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

It was another positive performance from Aitor Karanka’s side at the City Ground, and Sarah Clapson looks at five of the big talking points from the game.

1. Up and running (part one)

It proved to be lucky number seven for Lewis Grabban. After drawing a blank in his previous six appearances, the summer signing notched his first Forest goal against the Owls.

And there seemed to be a little sense of relief on his face as he enjoyed the celebration.

The former Bournemouth man had begun to take a bit of flak from some supporters for not having found the net, and at times he had cut a frustrated figure up front.

With any luck, getting off the mark on Wednesday night can act as a confidence booster and mark the start of a scoring run for Grabban.

There was never any doubt he has the ability at this level, and in midweek it wasn’t just on the scoresheet where he contributed; putting in a hard-working performance as the lone forward. But strikers are ultimately judged on goals, and the hope is that this can be the first of many for Grabban.

2. Up and running (part two)



There is less pressure on Joao Carvalho to find the back of the net regularly, but he will no doubt be pleased to have opened his account, too. And he did so in style.

In a moment of magic the club record signing showed why the Reds were prepared to pay the big bucks to bring him to the City Ground, curling a sublime finish beyond Cameron Dawson.

Linking up brilliantly with Ben Osborn, it underlined the talent the Portuguese youngster possesses.

You get the feeling there is still a lot more to come from Carvalho. A newcomer to the Championship, he is still getting used to its unique challenges. As he continues to adapt, more of that quality should shine through.

Some of his passes and through-balls didn’t quite come off against Wednesday, but there was evidence of a real understanding developing with Osborn.

If he continues on this upward trajectory, Carvalho can be a real class act this season.

(Image: PA)

3. A little consistency

Forest’s sticking point in the early part of the campaign had been their tendency to follow up a really good performance with a really bad one. They have lurched from one extreme to the other.

That was putting the mockers on pushing towards the top end of the Championship table.

With two decent displays in a row, though – against Swansea and then the Owls – there are signs Forest could build a bit of momentum.

Another home game at the weekend, when Rotherham United are the visitors, offers the chance of putting a little run together.

Win that one, and seven points from those three games would be a very good return indeed.

The low point of that dismal defeat at Brentford before the international break can prove to be a turning point.

Aitor Karanka’s squad is packed with quality, they’ve just been waiting for things to click. Now we are starting to see a bit more of what this team is capable of.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

4. Midfield maestro

After Brentford, there was the odd murmur questioning why the Reds had re-signed Jack Colback on loan – particularly given the embarrassment of riches they have in that position.

But on Wednesday night, the Newcastle United loanee showed exactly why Karanka brought him back.

He gave quite possibly his best performance in a Forest shirt – topping his debut against Fulham last season, when he dominated the midfield.

He played alongside Adlene Guedioura that day, too, and the pair do seem to complement each other well.

Perhaps the added pressure of Claudio Yacob and Panagiotis Tachtsidis building up fitness, ready to compete for a place, has acted as a little spur for Colback.

Whatever the reason, he was on top form in midweek. Keep up that standard and he can be a key player this term.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

5. A bit of aggression

In their last two matches, Forest have spent long spells on the front foot. They have taken the game to their opponents.

And as Karanka identified post-match on Wednesday, that is part of a conscious decision to be more “aggressive” in their play.

It has worked. They look a better team because of it.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

It suits a lot of the players, too. There is a lot of energy in that team – the likes of Matty Cash, Osborn, Saidy Janko, they never stopped running at the City Ground.

Colback and Guedioura were constantly nibbling away in midfield, and Danny Fox and Michael Hefele were dominant in defence.

There was a lot of chasing and harrying whenever the Reds didn’t have the ball, and there was a greater purpose about the way they went about their business.

The challenge now is to keep that up.