A whole host of new signings were welcomed to the City Ground in the summer as Aitor Karanka oversaw a spending spree which was clearly designed to carry Nottingham Forest to promotion, but as they prepare to face Millwall this evening their credentials are far from clear cut. 

The Championship is one of the most competitive and evenly matched divisions in English football, if not the most, and Forest have been forced to learn that in recent years.

But after an eleven season absence from the top-flight the board seemed hell-bent on finally making a return to the Premier League in the summer, as 15 new players joined the club.

The most expensive of their signings was Joao Carvalho (valued at £9 million by Transfermarkt), a Portuguese attacking midfielder who cost the club a whopping £13.2 million - a new club record.

So far he has struggled to adapt to the intensity of his new surroundings, but with 1 goal and 1 assist in his last three games it seems the 21-year-old prodigy is beginning to turn a corner in his development.

The goal he scored against Sheffield Wednesday demonstrated a level of composure and finesse which is typically reserved for players of the highest quality, and it should be a sign of things to come.

Forest's opponents this evening currently sit in the relegation zone after losing 3 fixtures on the bounce, conceding 7 goals in the process, so Carvalho should be looking to capitalise against a leaky defence.

That Carvalho has featured in all 10 of Forest's opening 10 fixtures suggests that Karanka is willing to invest time and faith in his development, and if he reaches top gear at the City Ground tonight there is no doubt that his touch of creative class will enable them to record a comfortable victory.

Nottingham Forest fans - thoughts? Let us know below!