Andy Reid
| 2000 - | Midfielder | 107 (25) games | 18 goals |
For a while it was looking like Andy Reid would never live up to the potential he showed on his debut, which he marked with a goal against Sheffield United. After helping Forest through an injury crisis in 2000/01 season, the 18-year-old was dropped back to the reserves and for a while made only fleeting appearances in the first team.
His main problem was fitness and by the summer of 2002 it looked as if he would soon be released from the club. Yet with Forest forced to sell players due to financial difficulty, Reid got his chance midway through the 2002/03 season and, with a new lease of fitness, proved himself to be a key part of the play-off chase that year.
He has now established himself as not only an important Forest player, but also one of the most talented outside the Premiership. His 2003/04 season was his best yet, finishing the campaign as top-scorer and attracting the attention of some of the country's top clubs.
He also made a number of impressive appearances for Ireland's national team. His emergence as Forest's main left wing threat heralded the arrival of the bit of creative spark Forest's midfield had lacked for many years. However, Reid has signaled his ambitions to play in the top flight and Forest have received a number of bids for him already. If someone offers to pay the right price, it seems unlikely that he will be at the club for much longer.