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Four straight losses at the start of the 2020/21 Championship campaign followed an abysmal end to last season for Nottingham Forest, agonisingly missing out on the much-desired play-off positions on the final day.
For the most part, it seemed Sabri Lamouchi was building something at Forest, a process that was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
When football returned in June, Lamouchi's side earned seven points from the first three games, solidifying their stance in the top six. However, three points from the remaining six games saw the club drop out of the play-offs, sending fans into a state turmoil.
With Lamouchi already skating on thin ice in the eyes of some Forest fans, his team got off to an unforgivable start, losing their first four Championship games.
The Frenchman was subsequently sacked and was immediately replaced with experienced manager Chris Hughton. The appointment was met with clear optimism by Forest fans and rightly so. The 62-year-old has continually proved his excellence at the top end of the Championship, but the overarching objective was to steer the club away from relegation.
Forest proceeded to lose just once in their next seven games as the club tried to distance themselves from the relegation places, but a seven-game winless run followed and questions around the former Brighton man's competence were posed.
Since then, Forest have lost just twice in their last 15 games, extending the gap from the bottom three to 11 points. It seems that the club are to a certain extent, in a position of comfort. The threat of relegation is diminishing, whilst Hughton may have one eye on the play-offs.
Bournemouth's continued struggles, coupled with Reading's inconsistency has opened up the final two play-off spots. Hughton's men may sit 12 points off the Cherries in sixth place, but only the division's top four and Barnsley have accumulated more points in the last 12 games.
The ultimate objective remains finishing the season strong and giving the club something to build upon next season, but whilst reaching the play-offs is still mathematically possible, Forest will certainly be pushing.
January provided Hughton with his first opportunity to build upon his squad, adding Manchester United midfielder James Garner and veteran striker Glenn Murray from Brighton.
Both additions have settled in seamlessly and have already emerged as integral parts of the squad. Garner - who started the season at Watford - has particularly shone since arriving at the City Ground, catching the eye in every game game he has played in a Forest shirt, proving to be one of England's most exciting teenagers.
The next six games will be extremely telling.
After hosting Luton Town on Tuesday night, Forest's next four games come against teams in the top six, before a trip to a revitalised Cardiff City.
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