Nottingham Forest's deliberation and failure to forward plan has been their downfall in the transfer window. Their much-followed transfer targets have snubbed the Reds in favour of a rival, while a void in negotiations has seen them fall behind their fellow Championship counterparts in planning for the new season.
Where some clubs are using the transfer window as a confidence filler for their returning supporters, Forest are doing their best to cause unrest and anxiety in the crevices of a fractured fanbase.
Reds supporters are immune to the disorganisation of a transfer window, but even for their shallow expectations, fans would have demanded one new face through the doors of the City Ground at the very least.
Forest's players returned for pre-season this week expecting to see the imminent arrival of fresh faces but to their dismay, no business has been done yet.
But with the season just over a month away, the perilous position that the club finds itself in is worrying, while a misunderstanding in recruitment and drawing continuous blanks in negotiations is something that needs to be fixed, and fast.
The latest figure that Forest were heavily touted to sign was Emiliano Marcondes from Brentford, with the 26-year-old parting ways from the Brentford Community Stadium upon the expiry of his contract.
Marcondes was someone who scouts have followed for a long time, seeing him as someone who would add a much-desired creative influence further forward.
With line-breaking passes and an aggressor at attacking space in and around the box, Marcondes would have been crucial to the creativity that Forest lacked last season.
After Chris Hughton was appointed manager in October last year, he made it clear that he was going to turn his side into a sturdy unit that was difficult to break down, largely succeeding in that mission.
Hughton stopped his leaky defence at source, building a backline that was capable of soaking up a barrage of opposition attacks. The players guiding Brice Samba's goal were ever-present, with Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna forming the foundations in the heart of their defence, while Cyrus Christie proved to be a smart loan addition at right back.
Although Forest finished 17th in the Championship, their defensive performances showed hallmarks of a platform that Hughton could build from. Letting in 45 goals was the least of their worries in a campaign that was barren of ability in the final third - despite the best efforts of 19-year-old Alex Mighten.
Hughton's style of football was criticised, but given the work that was done on the training ground to make his side more organised, it was clear that he was going to need another transfer window to put his own imprint on the attack.
A lethal attacking line is paramount to success in any division and in the counter-attacking system that Hughton uses, forwards are required to boast a potency that strikes fear into backtracking defenders.
The Reds were the joint-second lowest scorers last term with 37 and this figure further plagues supporters minds when the club is doing nothing to improve upon their struggles.
The addition of Marcondes would have blossomed their options going forward, becoming a reliable figure when called upon for Thomas Frank and showing versatility in his game.
Finding space in between the lines is an area that Marcondes would have exploited. He is both able to cause unrest in the opposition defence with his movement, while his vision and ability to pick out passes would have been key to breaking through backlines.
Hughton's side will keep their defensive rigidity but will want to bolster their ranks with expression going forward and Marcondes could have been their man to get the ball rolling in that aspect.
After it was announced that he was departing Brentford, Marcondes wasn't short of potential suitors and his Championship playoff final goal would have raised that number even further.
Forest were one club said to be showing significant interest, however, it was announced that Marcondes joined fellow Championship side Bournemouth, with newly appointed Scott Parker already stamping his hallmark on the Cherries.
Perhaps not signing Marcondes portrays a differing outlook on their recruitment direction. Hughton could be looking at younger players with points to prove rather than someone who was on the periphery of the starting eleven under his previous manager.
For some, the news would have been a bitter pill to swallow, with this section of disheartened supporters showing their grievance over their club missing out on Marcondes through Twitter.
Here is how Forest fans reacted to the news:
Matt: '#nffc what a surprise. Forest miss out on posh name who was clearly looking for something bigger and better. Remember the days players would fall over themselves to sign for us ahead of likes of Bournemouth.'
Alfie Fox: 'We couldn’t beat West Brom to Mowatt or Bournemouth to Marcondes so don’t hold your breath about us beating Napoli to Zian Flemming'
Wilse: 'Good enough for Bournemouth…. not good enough for #nffc'
Darren: 'That’s one missed out on then #nffc'
Eastwood Red: 'Highlights the challenges we face trying to compete with clubs who have parachute payments - they can offer better wages than us for the better players. #nffc'
George NFFC: 'Well so much for us being in talks with him then #nffc'
Links to Marcondes highlight the ever-growing need to piece together signings that will bring creativity and flair to the ranks, with supporters hoping to have a renewed sense of confidence once the club kickstarts their summer recruitment.
