New manager Dougie Freedman sparked a huge upturn in fortunes after taking over last season as Bolton, like the Reds, missed out on a play-off place on the final day of the campaign.
A slow start, followed by a gradual improvement this time around has been overshadowed by the recent announcement of further losses of £50m to take the club's debts to nearly £164m.
Freedman has been forced to look to the loan market or when making permanent signings go for players with potential such as summer capture Rob Hall from West Ham, also linked with Forest before the season started.
“Bolton fans have been good to me in terms of what we are trying to do," said Freedman this week, quoted in the Bolton News.
"Of course there are ups and downs but in general they have been very good and understand I have got to cut my cloth accordingly and got behind the players who are out there.”