It has been two weeks since the loan window opened on the 8th September and there are still no clear signs of whether Billy Davies will bring in a few fresh faces.
While Nottingham Forest have been casually linked with players, none of these rumours appear to be a distinct possibility. While Healy and St Ledger may not be the answer (one being a Premier League cast off and the other failing to stop Preston’s demise), some new faces would certainly help shake up the squad a little.
Billy Davies sees the transfer window as a disruption and he is probably right. Players are unsettled as they’re not sure who is coming in or whether they will still be a Forest player in the near future. However this cannot be an excuse 91 other football clubs are affected by this rule.
When Newcastle United signed Leon Best in last season’s January transfer window, he didn’t exactly set the world alight; however he did provide the existing strikers with some much needed enthusiasm and both Carol and Løvenkrands went on high goal scoring runs.
Newcastle and West Brom’s January additions proved pivotal in their promotion push. Forest failed to capture anyone and as a result threw away the grip they had on second space and handed automatic promotion to their rivals. The rest is history.
After signing several strikers last season, it seems unusual that we’re discussing the lack of firepower we have at the City Ground. While Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw are good enough for any Championship side, Forest are seriously lacking quality in depth.
There are players available. QPR and Cardiff have proved it this season. Billy Davies is clearly not a fan of bringing in loan signings, unfortunately he has no choice. While Forest have a good starting 11 capable of a successful campaign, the season is 46 games long and injuries or suspensions are certain to arise.
Deadline day for the loan transfer window is the 23rd November and Forest must bring in someone if they are to mount another successful campaign.