Amid criticism and rumours. Amid managerial changes and transfer flops. After a play-off collapse and during a relegation battle. Very little has been heard from the Nottingham Forest board in the last four years.
In some respects, that’s not always a negative policy. The Reds’ previous owner was not shy about making his voice heard, be that on social media or in interviews - and look how that turned out.
When things are going well, there can be dignity in keeping quiet.
But when they are not, fans are left with important questions which go unanswered.
The club took a first, small step in trying to address that this week, with the Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust recording a Q&A with chairman Nicholas Randall QC.
Questions were submitted by members and fans covering a range of topics, with a second installment to be released next week.
Reds reporter Sarah Clapson reflected on the interview in a live broadcast on our Forest Facebook page.
“As a first step to being more open with supporters - and accountable, at least to some extent - trying to answer some questions, it was a decent start,” said Clapson.
“Nicholas Randall was pretty honest in parts, admitting mistakes had been made, without necessarily going into too much detail about it.
“There’s still a lot of questions and a lot of things which haven’t been answered.
“But for a starting point, it was good and he came across well."
A key part of Randall’s interview centred around the club’s accounts and transfers.
Published earlier this month, the figures show an operating loss of £31.9m for the period from April 2019 to May 2020.
Included was a report detailing how “tough decisions” still need to be made around selling players, something Randall went on to discuss.
“When he was talking about the transfers in relation to FFP, I thought, reading between the lines, some of that was quite telling,” said Clapson.
“The reality of FFP is, clubs have to sell players for decent money - and then it’s about getting a good deal.
“That’s something Forest have done in the past with some of the players who’ve moved on. Everybody wants to see players who come through the academy stay at the club, but the system doesn’t always allow for that to happen.
“I think some of his words could be quite telling when we look towards the summer.”
Some supporters have commented on Randall’s demeanour during the interview.
“I’ve seen a few people saying it looks like he’s fed up or he doesn’t want to be there,” said Clapson.
“I can’t speak for him obviously, but I don’t get that’s the case. I think that’s just how he is.
“He’s a lawyer! That’s how he comes across!
“That’s just how some people are. Not everybody is going to be bouncing off the walls or jumping around and being animated."
What are your thoughts on Nicholas Randalls’ Q&A? We want to hear from you. Have your say in the comment section below.
