I agree 42 was too much but they were planning for two squads, one for relegation. Thus the purchase and loan out of players like Bowler and Hwang. They also suffered massive injury list at start of second window, thus purchasing of Wood and signing of Ayew. Not all signings come off and players thought of as excellent turned out to be below average or didn’t fit. Most clubs have 50% failure rate in signings.
Richards was a real negative. Not only because it has been a real problem position for Forest but it tied up so many resources. Williams Aina, Tavares, Niakhate, Lodi, Colback and Toffolo have all played at fullback as we play patch up with that position. Of the seven players named they total less than £20m in transfers.
Goal keeper was another probleM specialist position. We have had 6 players over the 20 months of being in premiership. I would say we remain in the market for both a left back and a goalkeeper.
I agree 42 is a ridiculous number particularly when only 30 would get in a squad. Circumstances of needing to go from 12 to 30 players plus the desire to have a significant championship backup squad, then the injuries and not all signings coming off forced, to some extent explain the over commissioning. It was a short term necessity.
Assuming survival, the removal of the championship squad, the vast number coming out of contract over the summer and an opportunity for settled planned purchasing, though robust will be more settled this summer.
To sum up. 42 was high but understandable given the circumstances and was a short term response.
