The Reds made five signings in the January transfer window, with varying degrees of success.
Gboly Ariyibi of Chesterfield in action with Tyler Hornby Forbes of Fleetwood Town
January’s transfer window was be a key one for Nottingham Forest, as given the warning signs for a relegation battle at The City Ground, players had to be signed to try and prevent it.
Unfortunately for Forest fans, they find themselves in a serious relegation scrap anyway, and are currently one point above the drop zone.
However, with new boss Mark Warburton, the club have given themselves a shot in the arm at a time where they needed one most, and every player – including their January additions – got a clean slate. Here’s how the winter signings have fared so far on Trentside.
Zach Clough – A*
Quite simply, one of the best signings Forest have made this decade – and Clough’s only played eight matches. The 22-year-old forward arrived from Bolton Wanderers on deadline day, and has been nothing short of a revelation for the club, with four goals coming in those eight appearances. Despite inexplicably being shunted out of position onto the right wing by former caretaker boss Gary Brazil, at no point has Clough been anything other than level headed and professional in his new surroundings. The club have got an absolute star on their hands here.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood saves a penalty from Nottingham Forest’s Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack – D
To say the man who was meant to fire the Reds to safety from the off hasn’t quite lived up to expectation would be an understatement. In fairness to McCormack, questionable tactics haven’t allowed Forest fans to see the best of him, and a missed penalty against Sheffield Wednesday only made matters worse. However, a beautifully taken goal against Norwich City and a superb move with David Vaughan against Derby County – which resulted in a Paolo DI Canio esque scissor kick volley destined for the net being blocked – has given Reds fans hope that he’ll come good at a critical time.
Gboly Ariyibi – N/A
In another inexplicable move by Brazil, Forest looked to address their lack of speed and wingers with Ariyibi, who’d signed from Chesterfield. However, despite the team crying out for a player who ticks the boxes Ariyibi allegedly does, fans are still waiting for the American to make his debut for the club. Under Warburton, he may actually be given a chance now, but if Ariyibi doesn’t feature in Forest’s next fixture against Preston North End, he’d have gone two months without making his debut – despite being fully fit.
Norwich’s Josh Murphy in action with Nottingham Forest’s Aaron Tshibola and Danny Fox
Aaron Tshibola – E
Tshibola arrived from Aston Villa on loan with the intention of being the physical presence in midfield which Forest have been painfully lacking, however, it’s not turned out that way at all. Tshibola has featured just three times for the Reds – a 5-1 defeat at Norwich City, a 3-2 defeat at Fulham, and a 90th minute substitute in Forest’s 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. It’s perhaps unfair to criticise a player who hasn’t had much of a crack at Forest, but from the performances so far, Tshibola’s loan spell will be one to forget.
Joao Teixeira – N/A
Another one that is yet to make his debut for the first team, though Teixeira’s arrival was reportedly controversial to say the least. The Telegraph believe, despite owner Fawaz Al Hasawi’s repeated insistence that he doesn’t interfere with the first team, that Brazil or his coaching staff had absolutely no idea Teixeira had signed, and hadn’t approved it. Al Hasawi playing real life Football Manager could be one reason why Teixeira hasn’t featured yet, but even under Warburton it isn’t clear whether fans will actually see him play or not.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
