The opening of the summer transfer window offers a chance for Nottingham Forest to start looking towards next season.
After a case of being so near, yet so far in their bid for promotion, the Reds can begin to freshen up their squad as they aim to go again in 2020/21.
And there are a few key bits of transfer business which should be a priority.
Here’s our verdict on what Forest need to do in the next few weeks.
Sign a striker
Lewis Grabban was immense last term. Becoming the first man in the Garibaldi to hit 20 goals in a campaign for 17 years is no mean feat.
The Reds would have been lost without him.
But he needs some help. Someone needs to share the goalscoring burden.
Tyler Walker returned from his loan at Lincoln in January and the club also signed Nuno Da Costa; while both have had bright moments, as yet, they don’t look like poaching goals to the extent Grabban does.
More firepower is needed to help make up the gap to the top six.
Bring in a winger
And on the subject of Forest’s attack… more creativity is badly required.
There is plenty of talent and quality in the squad, but sometimes this team struggled to create chances for Grabban to make the most of.
It seems unlikely Adama Diakhaby will be back at the City Ground, after an unsuccessful loan spell, and that leaves the Reds short on the flanks.
With Sabri Lamouchi saying Diakhaby lacked confidence, the club didn’t exactly get the tricky, pacey wide man they had hoped in January.
Time to scour the markets again, as this is one gap which really needs plugging.
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Sort out the midfield
A midfield anchorman may well also be on the summer shopping list.
There remains doubt over whether Ben Watson will put pen to paper on a new deal.
But even if he does, with John Bostock and Alfa Semedo’s loans coming to an end, it is an area which needs strengthening - particularly given the injury problems Samba Sow has had.
Of course there’s one name a fair few supporters would be happy to see back on the banks of the Trent… Jack Colback is a free agent after being released by Newcastle United.
Lamouchi would not be drawn on his situation when quizzed last month, however.
He said at the time: “He was an ex-player for Nottingham Forest but he is not a player of Nottingham Forest for the moment.
“I don’t have any comment on him or somebody else.”
The goalkeeper question
There’s absolutely no doubt Brice Samba is first-choice between the posts.
Who his back-up will be next term, though, is still in doubt as Jordan Smith’s contract is coming to an end.
Lamouchi has made it clear he wants Smith to stay, but the youngster may also have to consider whether he needs game time.
And what of a third-choice stopper? George Shelvey took on that role while Samba was injured, but may also feel he needs to get some experience under his belt with a loan move.
Forest still have Costel Pantilimon on the books, but it would be some turnaround if he finds a way back into the fold; and Luke Steele’s deal is also coming to an end.
Carvalho conundrum
Club record signing Joao Carvalho found himself well and truly out of the frame in the final few weeks, having struggled for a regular place all season.
He certainly has quality, but if the Reds aren’t going to use him, they need to decide if it’s worth keeping him on.
There’s been no shortage of speculation about his future, and it would come as little surprise if he does end up heading elsewhere.
If that is the case, finding someone for the No.10 role could be key. Tiago Silva has had a decent first season, but there isn’t a great deal of competition in that department.
Fending off interest
This is a tricky one. It seems inevitable that teams will come sniffing around some of the club’s star men - even if they are tied to long contracts.
Matty Cash and Joe Worrall have been linked with top-flight sides in the past and are sure to attract interest again. As might Joe Lolley.
The board have said they are willing to make tough decisions when it comes to player sales, as they try to work within FFP.
But losing big players would be a big blow.
Trimming the wage bill
On the flip side of that, Forest still have a top-heavy squad, with several players who have just not been in the picture.
Liam Bridcutt and Steele are likely to be released as their contracts end, and Pantilimon, too, will probably move on.
The club will surely try again to help Zach Clough get set up with something, and there has to be some doubt as to whether both Yohan Benalouane and Michael Hefele will still be here in September.
