Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton believes his squad is stronger now the January transfer window has closed than it was at the start of the month.
And he has thanked owner Evangelos Marinakis and the club’s board for their support in getting business done.
The Reds have added loanees Filip Krovinovic and James Garner, signed Glenn Murray on a short-term contract and extended Anthony Knockaert’s stay from Fulham.
With Forest struggling at the bottom end of the Championship table, Hughton made it a priority to strengthen his attacking resources.
And he says he is now happy with the options he’s got, as his team look to claw their way out of danger,
“I do think we are stronger than at the beginning of the window,” he said.
“I’m delighted with the additions this week, in James and Glenn. That can only add to what we’ve got here.
“It’s also about players coming back (from injury). Jack Colback coming back is a little bit like a new signing, even though he had played a good chunk of the season. It will be the same when Ryan Yates is back as well.
“You want your squad as strong as possible, and they will be part of that.
“Apart from the Middlesbrough game, in the league we are on a good run of no defeats.
“It’s about trying to finish this league as strong as we can.
“It’s a very competitive league, and we need as many players available and fit as possible - and a squad which is as strong as it can be.”
Hughton added: “When you get the opportunity to bring in a few players, you’ve also got to be mindful of the balance of the squad - that is the hard thing.
“The support I’ve had from the owners in this window has been very, very good.
“We’ve been able to search for players and we’ve had the option to bring players in. It’s my decision on how many and in what position.
“A big part of that is making sure we get the balance right.
“I generally don’t feel we’re so far off - I know league points and league position might say a little bit different.
“I’ve had very, very good support from the owners, the CEO, the technical director and the director of football. It’s my decision on who we bring in.
“I’m delighted with what we’ve done.”
Bolstering Forest’s goal threat will be key to ensuring survival, with Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor having struggled to find the back of the net this term.
Murray’s arrival meant youngster Will Swan could leave on loan, joining Port Vale, while Miguel Angel Guerrero headed for Spanish side Rayo Vallecano on a permanent transfer.
At 37, the addition of Murray has not gone down well with some fans.
But Hughton knows him well from their time together at Brighton and Hove Albion, and has backed the veteran forward to make a difference.
“He’s somebody I know very well and know his characteristics. He is somebody who is very used to scoring goals, and who knows this league very well,” he said.
“It’s also about his contribution to the squad and to the changing room. He’s a vastly experienced player - at any stage and at any club, you can always lean on that type of player."
Like Murray, Hughton has also worked with Knockaert and Gaetan Bong before.
Knockaert was the only one of the Reds’ 14 summer signings to join after Hughton took charge, while Bong was already at the club, having put pen to paper 12 months ago.
On the importance of surrounding himself with players he knows what to expect from, Hughton said: “It is important, particularly when you come to a club where you know there’s work to be done - particularly on the squad.
“It can take a while to really get to know players and determine what your best combinations are, the best players you see in each position.
“That familiarity is not the be all and end all, but I do think it’s important if you are able to have that.
“The three that I know, I know their abilities and I know what their personalities are like as well.”
