After a rollercoaster first season back in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest will approach the new campaign with plenty to be positive about.
The Reds have the nucleus of a good squad in place and finished strongly to clinch survival with a game to spare last term. Nevertheless, in order to push on, they face a crucial summer.
NottinghamshireLive have been asking Forest fans for their views on the running of the club, season ticket prices, the aim for next season and plenty more. You can still have your say by taking our survey, which you can find below.
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Now we have asked Reds reporter Sarah Clapson for her views on some of the key questions within the survey. Here’s what she said...
How much money do Forest need to spend on signings this summer?
Owner Evangelos Marinakis had little choice but to splash the cash 12 months ago. The Reds embarked on a mammoth spending spree to get ready for the Premier League.
This time around, they do not need to make as many signings. Nowhere near, in fact. They need to focus on a few key, quality additions.
Getting the right players will still come at a price, at least where some are concerned. But the club will be mindful of FFP rules. Clever, sensible business will be required. We have already seen that at play with suggestions Forest would want to lower Atletico Madrid’s fee for Renan Lodi - albeit trying to get him back on a permanent basis is tricky for other reasons, too, given his agent has indicated the defender wants European football.
Forest will have to be smart. Hypothetically, if they were to shell out £25 million for Lodi and not too far off the same again for Dean Henderson, that would be a sizeable chunk of money spent on just two players.
The Reds need roughly five to seven new additions. They may well look to the loan market again as part of that and will no doubt scour the free agent market, too. Funds raised through sales of fringe players could also have an impact on the budget.
The final total spent will be much less than last summer. Either £50m to £75m or £75m to £100m - and probably at the lower end of the latter - seems reasonable,
Which area should be the priority for Forest to strengthen this summer?
It is tempting to say all of them. The Reds need to address their goalkeeping and left-back situations, strengthen their defensive midfield and attacking midfield resources and probably target a centre-back.
But assuming a move for Henderson comes off, getting a striker in has to be the next big priority. Steve Cooper needs more goalscoring options.
Taiwo Awoniyi was a huge miss when he was out injured. His form at the end of the campaign, once he had regained his sharpness, made the difference. He needs competition for his place, though, and the manager needs other forwards he can turn to either from the bench or as an alternative starter.
Would you like to see more academy players get a chance with the first-team?
Wouldn’t everyone? Joe Worrall, Ryan Yates and Brennan Johnson are at the very heart of this Forest side. What they bring on and off the pitch is invaluable. You cannot buy the passion, experience and knowledge which comes with having come up through the ranks.
The Reds have such an incredible history of blooding academy players, and in Cooper they have a manager who knows all about youth development. Breaking into the team and even into the match squad is harder in the Premier League, though. There is so much at stake in matches
The next generation at the club is bright, with plenty of potential in the ranks. Following in the footsteps of Worrall, Yates and Johnson has to be the long-term aim - likewise, Forest must not lose sight of the importance of continuing to produce those players.
Cooper always enjoys it when he has some of the Under-21s training with the first-team. Patience might be required when it comes to more of them getting an opportunity in matches, however.
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