When Lewis Grabban joined The Reds in the summer of 2018, he arrived at The City Ground with a big reputation. This article appeared in Forest Review ahead of The Reds' clash against Luton, which can be purchased here.
Grabban was viewed as one of the most dangerous marksmen in the Championship, none more so after an impressive 2017-18 campaign in front of goal. He spent the first half of 2017-18 on loan at Sunderland, netting 12 goals in 20 appearances for The Black Cats whose season culminated in relegation to League One.
Midway through that campaign, Grabban moved on loan to Aston Villa, scoring a further eight goals in 15 appearances to take his tally up to 20 goals in just 35 league outings, before Steve Bruce’s side missed out on promotion to the Premier Leavue via the play-offs.
Grabban would then join The Reds, arriving as a marquee signing under Aitor Karanka from AFC Bournemouth in July 2018. So did he feel the weight of goalscoring expectation placed upon his shoulders, though, or did the experienced frontman erase such endorsements from his mind?
“I think it was a mixture of both to be honest,” he told Forest Review.
“In that summer, it was me and João who arrived as the big-money signings, so there was a lot of expectation on me. Everywhere I’ve gone, people have expected me to score goals, that’s normal for me.
“Personally, I just knuckle down and try to settle in as quickly as possible and score as many goals as I can.”
More than four years on and a total of 133 appearances later, Grabban has certainly lived up to those expectations, recently netting his 50th and 51st goal for the club in a 3-0 win over Preston North End.
It did take time for the prolific frontman to settle into his new surroundings, failing to score in his first six games for the club before embarking on a run of eight goals in seven games and ending 2018-19 with 17 goals in 41 matches.
In 2019-20, he became the first Forest player since 2003 to score 20 goals in a single league campaign, and after scoring six goals in an injury-hit campaign last term, eight goals in 18 appearances so far this season have seen him surpass that 50-goal tally.
It’s the first time in his career that the 33-year-old has managed to reach such a landmark for one club. Having been on The Reds’ books for over four years, it gives him a special feeling.
“Being able to produce that type of return for the club is a nice feeling,” he added. “It’s the first time in my career I’ve been able to hit that number for one club, so I’m really pleased with it.
“I don’t dwell on it, but it’s nice to get that milestone, especially in the timespan and the ratio I’ve got it in. I’m pleased with it, but this season, I’m mainly pleased with how we are progressing and starting to move up the table.
“That is the most important aspect of me doing well, because it helps the team. The better the team plays, the easier it is for me to score goals.
“Being that one at the top of the pitch, if we’re secure behind me and we’re creating chances, all I’ve got to focus on is putting it in the back of the net, and the players behind me have been great with that.”
Now into his fourth season with The Reds, Grabban is currently one of the longest-serving non-academy players in the first-team squad along with Tobias Figueiredo and Jack Colback, the latter having two loan spells before rejoining on a permanent deal last summer.
During that time, Grabban has enjoyed living in a new city.
“Nottingham’s nice, I really enjoy living here,” he continued.
“It’s a quiet city, so being from London, it’s different. It’s a lot more hectic down south, so compared to other places I’ve been to in the UK, it’s a very nice city.
“Being involved with the club for four years has been really nice and everyone is happy here.”
Grabban remains an integral player in a Forest side which is continuously backed by large support both home and away on a weekly basis. The striker has been more than aware of that backing ever since his arrival on Trentside.
“In terms of atmosphere, the goal against Derby at home was very nice, but the Leeds game was very, very good.
“Without the fans, it was just dead, so having them back has been excellent. Having that buzz and competitive side to it just makes the game feel real. The difference is like chalk and cheese.”
FIRSTS AND LASTS
What were your first boots?
I had New Balance ones. I thought the N used to be a Z, but they were black with an orange N.
Who was your first footballing idol?
I had a mixture. Ian Wright and Robbie Fowler, I’ll say them two.
What was your ever football shirt?
A green and white Liverpool one.
What was the first album you bought?
I’ve never bought an album or a single. I’m not a big music person.
What was your first car?
Vauxhall Corsa.
What was your first mobile phone?
It was a Nokia 3210. When we were at Crystal Palace, we were Under-12s and they gave us mobiles.
What was your first ever foreign holiday?
Spain, I think.
What was your first footballing memory?
Playing football in the street.
What was your first ever concert?
I’ve never been to a concert.
What was the last film you watched at the cinema?
Venom.
What was the last Netflix series you watched?
I’m watching the first season of Narcos right now. But Squid Game is horrendous!
What was your last Nandos order?
Half chicken and rice. Hot, obviously.
What was the last board game you played?
I’m trying to learn how to play chess at the moment, but the last one I played was noughts and crosses with my kids.