Eight games. Four wins. Thirteen goals. One defeat. It’s been a pretty positive first month of the season for Nottingham Forest.
And a promising start to life under head coach Sabri Lamouchi.
The Frenchman took charge at the City Ground in June and has quickly set about getting his ideas across - to great effect so far.
A new manager inevitably brings a new philosophy, new ways of working and - in the Reds’ case - a new-look team.
Twelve signings came through the doors this summer, all but one of them while Lamouchi has been at the helm.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the winners and losers under the new boss.
WINNERS
Joe Worrall and Michael Dawson
Forest’s first-choice defensive duo. And what a pair they have been.
The master and the apprentice, two academy products, Worrall and Dawson have been right at the heart of a fairly solid-looking defence. At the moment, they are almost undroppable.
For Worrall, in particular, it is some turnaround after spending last season on loan at Rangers. Meanwhile, his teammate seems to be enjoying a new lease of life after his previous injury problems.
That they are keeping out the likes of Tobias Figueiredo and Alexander Milosevic - both of who impressed last term - as well as new signing Chema, says much about their performances.
They are more than justifying their places in the starting XI.
Ben Watson
The midfielder has found some of his best form under Lamouchi.
He might not have convinced all supporters of his worth, but speak to any of his teammates - or the manager - and they are quick to sing his praises.
Watson struggled for regular game time in 2018/19, making 21 appearances in total. Despite it being an area of the pitch where Forest are particularly well stocked, he has made six already this time around, becoming one of the mainstays of the side.
The head coach is clearly a fan, and the 34-year-old is repaying his faith.
He might not do the glamorous side of the game, but when he has played, Watson has often been an effective shield in front of the back four.
Lewis Grabban
The Reds have not quite completely found a way to get the best out of the front man, with Grabban still left a bit too isolated at times.
But when he has had the support, there’s been no stopping him. Four goals in six games is a heck of a strike rate.
There’s a fair bit of pressure heaped on the 31-year-old’s shoulders given the lack of forward options in the squad. However, he’s wearing it well so far.
Lamouchi has acknowledged the need to keep providing Grabban with the right service, to give him the best possible chance of continuing to find the back of the net.
And he will be keeping fingers crossed, too, that his main man stays injury free.
LOSERS
Costel Pantilimon
The Romanian has gone from first-choice to not even third in the pecking order of goalkeepers.
Summer signings Brice Samba and Arijanet Muric are fighting it out for the spot between the posts, with Lamouchi having acknowledged Jordan Smith as third-choice.
Pantilimon kept 15 clean-sheets in the Championship last season, with only Jack Butland (Stoke City), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough) and Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) registering more.
It appears there’s little chance of him getting a look-in at the City Ground now, though.
Alexander Milosevic
The Swede did well in the Garibaldi after signing up for the second half of last term. He quickly settled into life in the Championship and became a key figure for the Reds.
He’s featured in just one matchday squad under Lamouchi, however - the Carabao Cup win over Fleetwood Town, when he was an unused substitute.
That’s probably as much down to the form of Worrall and Dawson than anything else; it’s difficult to unseat those two at the minute.
And with Chema having been brought in, there’s added competition at centre-back.
Claudio Yacob
In fairness, it’s not just under Lamouchi that the Argentine has struggled to get a chance. Many fans were impressed with him whenever he did take to the pitch, but he wasn’t exactly a regular under either Aitor Karanka or Martin O’Neill.
Still, he did at least make 17 appearances in 2018/19 after joining from West Bromwich Albion, whereas he’s yet to be involved at all this time around.
Was understood to be on the radar of Olympiacos earlier in the summer, and it’s perhaps a little surprising he’s still on the books at Forest.
