Are these Nottingham Forest’s three biggest underperformers so far in 2017/18?

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Mark Warburton’s side are flying high but not every Nottingham Forest player is performing at their optimum levels this season.

Nottingham Forest may be sixth in the Championship table with a month of the new season gone but that does not mean manager Mark Warburton has nothing to ponder during the international break.

With Forest’s new signings bedding in well and Warburton not afraid to make changes, there should be three underperforming players looking over their shoulder.

Zach Clough

The diminutive attacker made a real impact at Forest after arriving in January from Bolton Wanderers, adding some much needed creativity and contributing four goals in nine league starts as Mark Warburton’s side survived on the final day.

However, he is yet to kick on in the opening stages of the new season, starting only twice in the league and being outstripped by Barrie McKay as Forest’s go-to creator. Subbed off at half-time after struggling away at Brentford, Clough’s lightweight frame continues to undermine his undoubted technical ability.

Matt Mills

Forest’s failure to bring in a new centre-half late in the transfer window has some more pessimistic sections of the support already condemning the side to another season of struggle despite their bright start.

31-year-old Mills, now sporting Jonathan Woodgate-style bangs complete with continental hairband, is frequently lambasted on social media for his performances and, if Forest fans are to be believed, Jack Hobbs can’t return from injury quickly enough.

Mills has started four of Forest’s opening league fixtures but a mistake never seems too far away.

Michael Mancienne

Mark Warburton’s preference for short-passing football usually goes hand in hand with building from the back. However, club captain Mancienne has yet to prove that he has mastered the art while his defensive skillset could also do with a bit of work.

The former England Under-21 skipper partnered Mills at centre-half as Forest were breached three times by struggling Brentford last month while a particularly poor performance against Barnsley set nerves jangling in the stands.