What will Hughton look to do in final week of window?
THE January transfer window is entering its final week, with Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton hoping to do further business before the deadline.
The Reds added their first new face last Friday, when midfielder Filip Krovinovic arrived on loan from Benfica.
Winger Anthony Knockaert’s loan spell has also been extended until the end of the season, while Nicholas Ioannou, Tendayi Darikwa and Zach Clough have all departed.
Clubs have until 11pm next Monday to get any other deals over the line – and Hughton has said work continues to be done on that.
Here is the state of play with one week to go.
■What has been said?
Hughton has delivered a consistent message in his interviews in the build-up to and during January.
The window would see only minor tweaks - not a big overhaul. Players would only be brought in if they can add something, rather than making changes for the sake of it, and the absolute priority was to boost his team’s goal threat.
There will not be a big influx of signings in the next week. For Hughton to really put his stamp on the squad, he will have to wait until the summer.
But the manager has said Forest will try to do something between now and next Monday, if they can.
“If we’re able to do any more business, then then we will,” he said after Saturday’s 5-1 thumping at Swansea City in the FA Cup.
“But the January window is always very difficult so we will continue to work as hard as we can.”
■Goals, goals, goals
The biggest problem for the Reds is the same now as it was at the start of the window – they need to strengthen their attacking resources.
Krovinovic can be part of that, but he is not an out-and-out solution.
He can be good for a few goals and will help to drive the team forward. But given the number of injuries in midfield, he will be required to play a deeper role to begin with.
The extension of Knockaert’s loan will also help. He has started to find a bit of form and showed at the Liberty Stadium why he should be a regular starter.
But Forest desperately still need more. They need someone who can regularly put the ball in the back of the net. They need more pace and creativity.
Be it a winger, a target man, or a number 10, the Reds need to find something.
Arguably, the need is greater for a creator. Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor have both suffered from a lack of service whenever they have played up front. On their day, they are very good striker options for Hughton, but the supply line has to improve.
The winter window is never easy, particularly when it comes to sourcing attacking players and, as has been the case with Krovinovic and Knockaert, the manager has said loan deals are the more likely option. Further reinforcements, though, can be key to getting away from danger in the table.
■Grosicki?
Kamil Grosicki has remained on Forest’s radar after the saga in the summer, when a move to the City Ground fell through. Hughton has previously admitted the West Bromwich Albion winger has still been a player of interest, but the longer the window goes without that progressing any further, the more unlikely it seems a deal will materialise.
The Poland international has started to come back into the fold at The Hawthorns under new boss Sam Allardyce.
And Hughton has said: “His circumstances obviously have changed because he is far more involved.
“What any player would want is just to play games, get minutes and be involved.
“I would imagine that’s more pleasing to him.
“Whether he ends up staying there or leaving, that I don’t know, but certainly I would imagine he’s happier now, being involved.”
The Reds have always had a long list of potential targets and, having failed to sign Grosicki twice already, it would be no surprise if this is one they move on from.
■Cut numbers
Hughton is keen to work with a small squad. Overseeing departures has been a priority this month.
A start has been made on that, with Darikwa and Clough heading to Wigan Athletic, and Ioannou joining Aris Thessaloniki on loan. But others could still follow. As has been the case for some time now, Michael Hefele would be free to move on and the manager has admitted midfielder Fouad Bachirou might leave on loan although the injury situation could have a bearing on that.
Few of the players who were given a chance to fight for a regular starting place in Saturday’s Cup defeat did themselves any favours.
Hughton may well have come away from that game thinking there are others who could head elsewhere.
They need someone who can regularly put the ball in the back of the net. They need more pace and creativity.
■Longer-term
This is a tricky window for Hughton. He needs to find a solu
tion to the Reds’ most glaring problem, but he also cannot rip up the squad - not after so many signings were made in the summer.
Adding creativity this month is a priority, but there will also be an eye on the summer. That is when the manager can really start to make the dressing room his own.
It would be no surprise to once again see big changes then incomings and outgoings. Hughton will have a good assessment of who he wants to keep by that point and with a bit more room for manoeuvre than is usually the case in the winter.
He just has to make sure he has enough in the current group to ensure Forest are still in the Championship by then.
If he doesn’t before, he will also no doubt face interest in some of his brightest stars in the summer. Brennan Johnson is starting to catch the eye of a few clubs and Burnley have long been keen on Joe Worrall. Short and long-term, the Reds are facing a crucial period in the transfer windows. They have fallen short when it comes to recruitment and getting business right in the past. Given their precarious position in the table, they can ill-afford to do so now.
He has to make sure he has enough in the current group to ensure Forest are still in the Championship by then.