Reality check but Hughton optimistic for Forest plans in the summer
BOSS AIMING TO RESHAPE SQUAD WHEN TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS
BOSS Chris Hughton is optimistic but realistic when it comes to Nottingham Forest’s summer transfer plans.
The Reds manager admits what he would like to happen and what actually transpires over the coming weeks can be two different prospects.
Bolstering his attacking resources is his priority as he tries to put a squad in place to compete at the top end of the Championship table.
Tottenham Hotspur winger Jack Clarke, who has been on loan at Stoke City, and Blackpool forward Jerry Yates are among the players Forest are believed to have shown an interest in.
But with clubs impacted financially by the coronavirus pandemic and fierce competition for players, it can be a difficult market.
“On most occasions, what you’re hoping for and what happens is generally different,” Hughton told the Nottingham Post.
“Probably that’s why, with my experience, you are as excited as any other summer – I’m excited by the prospect of moving this squad around.
“But I am also realistic. Sometimes you can put up on the board in front of you a squad for next season and all the players you would like to bring in. It’s lovely playing that game but being realistic, probably most of that doesn’t happen.
“What doesn’t change is, by the time the window finishes, this is what you’ve got and you’ve got to get the very best out of the group you have.
“I hope we can be successful (in the window) but it is very difficult and it’s very difficult for every manager.”
There will be incomings and outgoings at the City Ground after this season comes to a close against Preston North End today.
The Reds have five loanees who will return to their parent clubs and seven players whose contracts are coming to an end - with some, at least, not being offered new ones.
Hughton has already confirmed veteran defender Michael Dawson is unlikely to get the chance for a final farewell on the pitch this weekend, though he adds the “door is open” for a different role Trentside.
Fellow centre-back Michael Hefele will also be free to move on, while there is uncertainty over the futures of Yuri Ribeiro, Sammy Ameobi, Samba Sow, Glenn Murray and Abdoulaye Diallo.
What happens with those players will not affect what business Forest aim to do, though, according to Hughton.
“We’ll have conversations with players over the next week or so,” he said.
“But we’re fairly sure of what’s going to be happening with the loan players who will go back to their respective clubs and our players who are out of contract.
“We are fairly settled on the outcomes there, then it will be about moving forward in the directions we need to.
“You have the level you want to get to and a change in players,” he added.
“An example, with the squad we’ve got at the moment, if we were better than we have been in some areas – in offensive areas to get the goals we needed – with the same squad, then the outcome could have been different. “There is definitely an aspect of getting as much as we can out of the players who will still be here next season.
“And hoping what we can do is supplementing the squad with players who can very much get us to where we want to be.”
I’m excited by the prospect of moving this squad around. But I am also realistic.
Chris Hughton