Nottingham Forest’s recruitment has been in the spotlight as the Reds fight for survival in the Premier League.
The impact made by signings from the past two transfer windows has certainly been mixed, and heads have rolled as a result. Transfer chiefs George Syrianos and Andy Scott were given the boot in October as Forest struggled to find their feet in the top-flight, while sporting director Filippo Giraldi was axed last week as he paid the price for a poor January.
At a crucial time of the season, the club really needed to get it right in the winter window. The final judgement will come down to whether or not they stay up, but overall the business done at the start of this year hasn’t had the desired effect.
There are exceptions. Keylor Navas was needed due to the injury to Dean Henderson and has shown his class at times. Felipe has been outstanding. Danilo is one for the future. And the jury is still out on Gustavo Scarpa.
But perhaps Forest’s biggest regret from that month should be over who they let go, as much as the additions they made. Particularly as head coach Steve Cooper grapples with trying to find a solution for a problem area.
Read our thoughts on the decision over Lewis O'Brien here.
Forest youngsters lose final after double red card
Nottingham Forest Under-17s received two red cards as their bid for silverware ended in heavy defeat with Tottenham Hotspur running out 5-1 winners in the Premier League Cup final.
Five wins and just one goal conceded had seen the Forest youngsters progress through to the final, but at the City Ground on Wednesday night it all fell apart, with the visitors from North London lifting the trophy.
A crowd of just over 2,000 saw Danny Anisjko open the scoring for Forest from the edge of the box inside 11 minutes. But the Spurs response was swift, Oliver Irow converting a cross just two minutes later.
Then came the first of the dismissals. Kyle McAdam, already on a booking, went in late into a challenge in the middle of the park and was given his marching orders. Spurs took advantage quickly, Mikey Moore dribbling into the box and finishing coolly just before half-time.
The game really took a turn for the worst for Forest when Connor Brown received a straight red card just after the break, the striker wrestling his marker to the ground, with both sets of players then rushing in to square up to each other.
Read more on the match here.
Neville hits back at Forest fan
Gary Neville has responded to a Nottingham Forest fan on Twitter after it was claimed the Sky Sports pundit had only watched the Reds play against Manchester United "in the cup".
Steve Cooper's side have played the Red Devils four times this season including in Sunday's 2-0 loss at the City Ground after losing the reverse league fixture 3-0 back in December. They were also beaten in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final without scoring.
The Reds are now winless in their last 10 games as fears grow over their Premier League status for next season. Forest are in the bottom three on goal difference.
And on Tuesday, a Reds fan took aim at Neville on Twitter after claiming he had watched very little of Forest this season, whilst launching a stinging comparison to his fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Read more on Neville's reply here.
Bade impressing away from Forest
Former Nottingham Forest defender Loic Bade has been linked with a permanent transfer to Sevilla after impressing during his loan spell at the Spanish club.
The reports come after a difficult spell at the Reds who the 23-year-old joined on loan from French club Stade Rennes last summer.
But the Frenchman was unable to settle in at the City Ground after failing to make a single competitive appearance for Steve Cooper's side. His loan spell at Forest was terminated early at the end of last year.
Since joining Sevilla and January, Bade has been a mainstay in the La Liga sides defence having made 11 appearances for the Spanish side this season. He has also played the full 90 minutes of their last five league matches.
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