‘Adjustment Period Over’ – Nottingham Forest Star Told To Perform

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Ex-Switzerland defender Stephane Henchoz has warned Nottingham Forest star Dan Ndoye that his adjustment period is over, saying he now needs to deliver the numbers, while backing him to do so.

Last summer, Ndoye joined Nottingham Forest for a £34m fee, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the club.

He arrived from Bologna with significant expectations, but his first season at the City Ground failed to match the billing, with a potential swap deal that would have seen him return to Italy explored during the January window.

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The move ultimately failed to materialise, leaving the Swiss star to finish his debut campaign with four goal contributions in 37 appearances across all competitions.

Ndoye enjoyed a stronger showing with Switzerland at the World Cup, scoring twice in the six appearances he made before their quarter-final exit.

Henchoz believes Ndoye now has to make his mark at Nottingham Forest after completing his adjustment period at the club.

He acknowledged the level of competition facing his former protege, but pointed to Forest’s investment, Glasner’s arrival and the club’s ambitions as the backdrop against which the Switzerland international must establish himself.

The former defender expects the 25-year-old to take on greater responsibility and improve his goalscoring output, while backing him to deliver on those expectations.

Henchoz said in an interview with Swiss daily Blick: “Dan Ndoye is with a club steeped in tradition that’s investing money, has a new coach in Oliver Glasner, and has big ambitions.

“The competition for my former protege is fierce.

“His adjustment period is over.

“Now he needs to really establish himself at Nottingham Forest and put up solid scoring numbers.

“I believe he can do it.”

The summer saw Inter Milan register an interest in signing the attacker, but Glasner made it clear he wanted Ndoye to remain at Nottingham Forest for the upcoming season.

The Switzerland international was also determined to stay with the Midlands outfit despite the interest.

Two weeks ago, he scored in Forest’s 2-1 friendly victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the City Ground, and could now be in contention to start when the Tricky Trees open their Premier League campaign against Leeds United on Saturday.