The upcoming summer transfer window will be Chris Hughton’s first real chance to put his stamp on the Nottingham Forest squad.
Since his arrival as manager last October, he has overseen the arrival of four players.
Anthony Knockaert made the move on domestic deadline day - the only one of the Reds’ 14 additions in the summer window to join after Hughton took charge.
And then in January - as well as extending Knockaert’s loan deal and agreeing a permanent move for Cafu - Filip Krovinovic, James Garner and Glenn Murray were added to the squad.
All four of Hughon’s signings will see their time at the City Ground end once the season is over.
There are also others who will be out of contract and loanees set to return to their parent clubs.
With Forest aiming to get back to challenging at the other end of the table next term, it will be an important window for the manager.
We’ve taken a look at some of the key areas to be addressed.
Goals, goals, goals
It’s stating the blindingly obvious to say fixing his team’s goal-shy nature will be Hughton’s priority once the window opens.
Knockaert, Krovinovic, Garner and Murray have all been decent additions, but the Reds are still struggling to find the back of the net.
Their strikers - Murray, Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor - have nine league goals between them. Among the rest of the squad, Sammy Ameobi (one of those whose deals will come to an end) is the next biggest contributor with three goals in the Championship.
It seems likely Forest will be in need of one, possibly two, forwards for next term to bolster their attacking arsenal.
Hughton must decide whether to try to tempt Murray to stay on, perhaps just for another year. It seems unlikely the 37-year-old would be the main striker, though.
Grabban was the subject of transfer speculation last summer, with former Reds boss Sabri Lamouchi keen to link up with him again at Qatari club Al Duhail.
It remains to be seen if that interest resurfaces. But given his contract expires in 2022, this could be Forest’s chance to get some money for Grabban, if he does want to leave.
Taylor is tied to the club until 2023, but has struggled to really get going yet and has more often than not been used as a substitute by Hughton.
Youngster Will Swan is also on the books and will return after a spell on loan at Port Vale. However, it could be another campaign elsewhere suits him best before making the step up to the Championship.
Adding creativity
It’s not just Forest’s forward line which will need work in the window. There’s a need to bring in flair and attacking threat throughout the team - adding a bit of pace would also not go amiss.
The Reds currently have some talented players in their ranks, but few who have hit the kind of heights they are clearly capable of.
Forest have been creating chances, but they could still do with putting teams under greater pressure at times.
They also need to find a way of getting goals from others in the team - it cannot be left to the strikers alone. If they are going to improve their fortunes next season, wingers and midfielders will have to chip in - a few goals from defenders would be a help, too.
Knockaert has started to show more of what he has to offer in the second half of his stay. If Forest could get a decent deal for him - or perhaps even another loan - that could be worth doing.
Much will depend on Fulham and what division they will be playing in, for they are sure to want to recoup some of the big bucks they splashed out on him.
There will be a decision to be made on fellow loanees Krovinovic and Luke Freeman, as well.
And also Ameobi, although the fact he has struggled to get in the starting XI since returning from injury perhaps doesn’t bode well.
Depending on who stays and who goes, there could be a few gaps to fill from an attacking perspective. Plugging them with the right players will be key.
Young players
Hughton hasn’t been afraid to put his faith in the likes of Swan and Alex Mighten at times.
The former got his chance during a time when Grabban was injured and will have gained even more experience at Vale. A judgement call will have to be made over whether he’s likely to get much game time at the City Ground next term.
Mighten has made 17 appearances and scored two goals, so there’s every chance he could have a greater part to play in 2021/22.
And the Reds have a number of other young players who will return from loan spells with ambitions of proving themselves to Hughton in pre-season.
The likes of Brennan Johnson, Jordan Gabriel and Marcus McGuane, for instance, have all done well elsewhere and will hope to get the opportunity to fight for a place in the squad.
There is also 19-year-old Loic Mbe Soh, who is having to be patient waiting for a look-in.
He has played seven times so far since his summer move from PSG, but hasn’t featured since January. Will he get a few more opportunities next season? It could still be tough for him, as Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna seem likely to be first-choice centre-back partnership.
Hanging on
And that brings us to another point… To get back towards the other end of the table, the Reds will need to hang on to their best players. Chiefly, Worrall.
Burnley have had their eye on him for some time now and it would be little surprise if they came sniffing again.
As much as there is generally an acceptance clubs like Forest need to sell players to help balance the books and keep within Financial Fair Play regulations, to lose Worrall would be a massive blow.
Hughton has made it a priority to make his team hard to beat, putting in a lot of work to tighten them up defensively. Worrall has been central to that.
Since making his comeback from injury, he has been superb. Player of the Season so far. He is a born leader and a loud voice on the pitch, traits which are hugely important to have in the team.
The Reds will no doubt want something of a clearout in the summer, but hanging on to their star man is a must.
They have struggled to replace Matty Cash after his switch to Aston Villa last year, so could really do without being in that position again.
