As Nottingham Forest look to get their push for promotion back on track, it feels like they are heading for an important January transfer window.
The Reds have slipped to eighth in the Championship table as a result of Saturday’s humbling at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, with a run of four games without a win perhaps highlighting the need for reinforcements.
Sabri Lamouchi’s men remain very much in the promotion mix - one point adrift of the top six with a game in hand. And it could be that a good window makes all the difference to their ambitions this season.
We take a look at what a dream January window might look like for Lamouchi.
Striker inbound
The Forest head coach has previously made no secret of the fact he would like to have added another forward during the summer, with Lewis Grabban and on-loan Rafa Mir currently his only options.
No doubt he will very much be hoping that wish comes true next month.
Mir has struggled to make an impact since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has yet to find the back of the net.
Grabban has been in fine form but needs more support. And Lamouchi also needs cover, should his first-choice front man pick up an injury.
The Reds need more goals in the squad, and bringing in another striker will surely be top of the manager’s list.
Add a winger
It’s not just up front where Forest could do with strengthening.
Adding a bit more creativity elsewhere on the pitch could go some way to boosting their goals tally.
Grabban has sometimes been short of service and there have been times when the final ball has been lacking for the Reds.
They dominated possession in home games against Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, but just couldn’t make it count.
Bringing in someone with a bit of pace and ability to put in a teasing cross, would add some spark to Lamouchi’s attack.
Fend off interest
The pre-January rumours haven’t just centred around players being linked with a move to the City Ground, there’s also been speculation about those who could leave.
It’s all gone a bit quiet over rumoured Premier League interest in Matty Cash and Joe Worrall - and Lamouchi will no doubt be hoping it stays that way, given they’ve both been vital figures in his team.
If they are going to challenge for the top six, Forest need to hang on to their key players.
There has been Joao Carvalho, too.
The Portuguese has bags of quality and Lamouchi has said he remains an important part of his plans, although he has been in and out of the team.
It remains to be seen how that one unfolds, though.
Trim numbers
They are players who are not part of Lamouchi’s plans, but it would no doubt still help the Frenchman if the club managed to offload the likes of Costel Pantilimon, Claudio Yacob and Zach Clough.
As much as they all have something to give, it’s difficult to see them working their way back into contention on the banks of the Trent.
Sorting out their futures with moves elsewhere would surely be best for all parties.
Sort out contracts
A number of players will see their contracts expire in 2020, and with time ticking, decisions will start to be made about what happens next.
There are some big names among those whose deals expire next year - Michael Dawson, Ben Watson and Sammy Ameobi among them. And also goalkeeper Jordan Smith, who has not played under Lamouchi but who has been praised by the head coach for his attitude.
Who the club would like to stay on and who they are happy to leave is sure to be being discussed already.
And with Matty Cash and Ryan Yates having put pen to paper on new long-term deals recently, perhaps securing fellow academy graduate Worrall to fresh terms could also be a good move.
