Hamburg and Nottingham Forest have a fair few things in common.
Two historic clubs with a European Cup in their trophy cabinet have fallen upon hard times in recent years.
After sampling caviar at the top table, Hamburg and Forest are now on a bread-and-butter diet of second-tier football after a fall from grace that would make Charlie Sheen wince.
But with a lack of firepower looking likely to extend Nottingham Forest’s exile from the Premier League into a 22nd year, Hamburg’s stunning run of form shows just what a difference a natural-born goalscorer can make.
Since joining on a free transfer from Cologne, Simon Terodde has scored eight times in seven Bundesliga.2 matches – almost as many as Forest’s entire squad have managed in 2020/21.
“Simon is a phenomenon in the opposing penalty area,” veteran team-mate Aaron Hunt tells BILD of a man who has fired Hamburg four points clear at the top already.
“His nose for goal is sensational. We have missed such a finisher in recent years. He increases our chances of winning games and achieving our goals.”
In stark contrast, the three strikers at Nottingham Forest’s disposal, Lyle Taylor, Miguel Angel Guerrero and an out-of-sorts Lewis Grabban, have netted four goals between them this term – with all of those coming from summer signing Taylor.
Chris Hughton may be a master tactician at Championship level but, until Forest can start finding the back of the net on a more regular basis, the top six will remain a pipe dream.
If only Nottingham Forest had succeeded in luring the irrepressible Terodde to the City Ground when they had the chance (BILD).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
