The January transfer window is just around the corner, and it will be an important one for Nottingham Forest going into the second half of the season.
Steve Cooper has already made a big impact since being appointed in September. And he will soon get his first chance to reshuffle his squad.
The Welshman has so far been very coy when asked about potential business, keeping his cards close to his chest about any incomings and outgoings.
Players are already being linked with moves to and from the City Ground, though.
Here’s what Cooper has had to say about the upcoming window.
On the challenges of eventually having to replace loan players
“It can be difficult. It’s not a new situation, and we won’t be the only club in the league which will have situations like that.
“You go into a loan agreement knowing it’s only temporary.
“We just need to be ready. We need to be ready as a club and as a first-team squad to make sure that whatever may happen in the future, we succession plan really well.
“That’s certainly something we’re working hard on behind the scenes - Dane (Murphy, CEO), the recruitment team, myself, and the coaching team as well, it’s a real joined-up approach.
“For me, I would love that we don’t have to rely on loans, because that means the young players in your team are yours and you’re developing your own assets.
“You know there’s a longevity to the development you’re doing with the players in that case, and you know you can work in a way that not only helps you short-term, but can help you a bit mid-term as well because you know players are with you for the duration.
“But we’re not in that place at the moment. We have to use the loan market, and we rely on it in certain ways. We need to maximise that.
“The pros and cons of the loans, we’ll just deal with as and when they come.”
On potential January business
“We have started looking at January. We are well underway. We are looking at succession planning; at all the ‘What ifs?’, good and bad.
“It will be the normal process of growing the team and seeing where we need to improve.
“I am very clear about what it will take to improve. But until people come and go, I am very committed to the players who are here every day and trying to get the best out of them. There is no point talking about the players who could be here… you have to work with what you’ve got; you have to get the best out of the lads who are here.”
What business should Forest do in January? Have your say in the comments below
On Rhian Brewster, amid Forest being linked with the Sheffield United striker
"Football does that to you, doesn't it? I was at Bramall Lane at the weekend, because we played on the Friday, and he was sat in front of me.
"And then the game after he's playing against us.
"I am very fond of the boys that I have worked with previously and I will always be there for them.
"I have just seen Conor Hourihane walk past, I had a great time with him last year, what a great guy he is, he's a good player, but my focus now is just on Nottingham Forest players."
