Sammy Ameobi considers promotion to be an “absolutely realistic target” for Nottingham Forest in 2019-20.
Which is good to hear!
Everyone involved with the Reds has been clinging to that dream for longer than many of us care to remember.
Three decades have been spent outside of the top tier.
Some may be wondering if they will ever see Premier League football at the City Ground.
Ameobi intends to help deliver a return to the big time.
Mentality
Original Image: Nottingham Forest/Graphic Design: Beth Davenport
Forest’s first signing of the summer has told the Nottingham Post: “Promotion is absolutely a realistic target. From what I have seen here myself and from what I have heard from the boys, I feel we have the quality to do that.
“We have to go game-by-game and try to win every one that we can.
“If we take that mentality, we can see where it gets us. But I am looking forward to hopefully being part of that.”
The ambition on Trentside is what drew Ameobi to the club.
He endured a testing campaign at the opposite end of the Championship in 2018-19, as troubled Bolton slipped through the trapdoor, but is looking forward to realigning his focus.
The 27-year-old forward added in the Post: “I am well aware of how big a club this is, I know there is a lot of history, a lot of heritage.
“I know a lot of the players here, because I have played against them, over the years.
“I’m aware of the quality that this team has and it was something that definitely drew me to this club. I am excited to be here and I am excited to get started.”
Pre-season is, of course, the time for bold predictions and sweeping statements.
Everyone is full of optimism over the summer.
In Forest’s case, rather unfortunately, that belief has not been sustained often enough.
Shopping
If a promotion push is to be built in the next campaign, then a few fresh faces will be required.
The Reds have plenty of bodies on their books, but more comings and goings are to be expected.
Sabri Lamouchi is looking to put his stamp on a squad inherited from Martin O’Neill.
Transfer rumours continue to tick over, with a French coach seemingly shopping in the right markets – with creative midfielder Tiago Silva snapped up on a two-year deal.
If he can find the right pieces of the puzzle, then anything is possible.
Ameobi has set the tone early when it comes to targets for 2019-20, with it now up to the former England U21 international and those around him to deliver on lofty aspirations.