Summer Window 2026 - The Denouement....

PsychoTheLegend

PsychoTheLegend

Vital Champions League
The Summer window has SLAMMED shut.
What are everyone's realistic views of our business and which position in the EPL is achievable?

The appointment of an elite coach in Glasner has fundamentally changed how we conduct business in my opinion. We've seen a more sensible and mature approach to transfers.

Glasner prefers a small squad and he definitely had time to assess our squad during pre-season.

We've seen several ins and outs. We knew Anderson was going and I think it fair to say we all expected a CM replacement. But we've not been at training, Glasner thinks McAtee can step up. We tried for players but I think price was a factor. We've also seen the implications of SCR. It doesn't benefit us or 13 other EPL clubs. The so called big 6 will be able to spend far more than we thought.

We've signed some good players, we've moved on several who needed a loan, or, a fresh start. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Diomande develop under Glasner.

Glasner has spoken of reality, steady progression and consistency. He's taken a calculated risk with midfield and at centre half, but we have to trust him. He's the highly paid Head Coach after all.

Realistically, 12th is achievable. Talk of a top 8 finIsh is fantasy. I would hope that in his many discussions with EM, Glasner has tempered our owner's ambitions.

We have a good squad with a top quality coach. We have signed players he wanted. He has said that it'll take 3-6 months for his ideas to fully embed within the squad.

A solid 7/10 window for me.
 
Overall I'd call it bang average.

I think Diomande and Delap are considered, sensible and quality signings that can take us forward. Schlager on a free looks like good business to bolster the team.

However, I do think there are some gaps we've not managed to address. The obvious one is Anderson not being replaced. We've lost one of the best midfielders in the league, and haven't really looked to reinforce that area. Does Schlager bridge the gap left by Anderson? No. Our midfield is still OK, but it's obviously lost quality.

Central defence. We've adopted a system that uses 3 centrebacks, yet we've got fewer centrebacks available than we've had for a few seasons. We have 4, then we're leaning on Savona and Yates. That's got the potential to bite us.

My season estimate after the window has closed is maybe 12th-14th. If we'd added that little bit extra I'd have though we could have gone 8th-10th, maybe blagging Europe.

Looking away from our own window though, the league looks like it has numerous teams trying to implode. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton all look like shooting themselves in the foot has been a priority. Sunderland, Brighton and Brentford all have Europe to drag them down and make their seasons long and attritional.

We could do better based more on others struggling than based on us looking really good.
 
I think we're good. Keeping Kalimuendo is a bonus for me.
Schlager - good. Diomande - Good. Munoz - Great.
And this is going to invite criticism, but for me it's nice to have a forward we can look forward to being on the ball, in Delap. Not since Antonio and Assombalonga have I looked forward us getting the ball up top. I've got a good feeling about the lad.
 
LynxRed said:
Overall I'd call it bang average.

I think Diomande and Delap are considered, sensible and quality signings that can take us forward. Schlager on a free looks like good business to bolster the team.

However, I do think there are some gaps we've not managed to address. The obvious one is Anderson not being replaced. We've lost one of the best midfielders in the league, and haven't really looked to reinforce that area. Does Schlager bridge the gap left by Anderson? No. Our midfield is still OK, but it's obviously lost quality.

Central defence. We've adopted a system that uses 3 centrebacks, yet we've got fewer centrebacks available than we've had for a few seasons. We have 4, then we're leaning on Savona and Yates. That's got the potential to bite us.

My season estimate after the window has closed is maybe 12th-14th. If we'd added that little bit extra I'd have though we could have gone 8th-10th, maybe blagging Europe.

Looking away from our own window though, the league looks like it has numerous teams trying to implode. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton all look like shooting themselves in the foot has been a priority. Sunderland, Brighton and Brentford all have Europe to drag them down and make their seasons long and attritional.

We could do better based more on others struggling than based on us looking really good.
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Agree. Which some may view as an opportunity missed.
 
Incomings wise, I’d say it’s been good and we’ve backed the manager.

Midfield? Well I think we were priced out of Bergval (doubt we were the only ones in that regard, as he is still at Spurs).
The Everton lad? I think we were reasonably confident we had him, until the backlash forced Everton’s hand.

It’s the outgoings that concern me. We’ve weakened our choice of cb and we’ve removed the option of pace by letting Hutch go, someone who is I thought Delap might link up well with as an option.

Still I’m not a trophy winning manager, so trust in Glasner.

But bottom half of table for me, hopefully upper part.
Will that be enough?
 
Must say that I'm very pleased Kalimuedo is still here. I'm optimistic that he can contribute this season. With one place available up top, Delap, Wood and Kali may be OK, with Jesus as fourth choice, if absolutely necessary.

Biggest frailty - injury to Sels.

After that, mainly worried about the gamble that Sangare and Mcatee can stand up to some energetic, athletic and skillful premier league midfields with cover from Scchhhlager, Dom and Yates. It looks very slow with very few goals to help the overhaul tally. Thank god Dom is still avaliable though - very useful utility player.

Third biggest worry is the effect of two injuries in defence. Even one means we have very limited sub options.


The starting line up lacks a bit of pace but is good. Let's hope they hold up.
 
I think the crux of the matter is that we are all used to the club's previous scattergun approach to recruitment which we all criticised but at the same time we actually enjoyed the excitement & buzz of all those new signings, never knowing who was coming through the door right up to the last minute

It now looks as if OG has brought a much calmer more balanced & measured approach to things, prioritising quality (hopefully) over quantity which is clearly a much better approach but ultimately less exciting for us. He knew what & who he wanted & largely it looks as if he has got that.

We didn't get the Everton kid but that looks as if it was an opportunistic type signing like Anderson rather a necessity so I don't think OG will be too disappointed by not getting him. He may however be just a little disappointed that we didn't get a keeper, the fact that we tried suggests he's not 100% convinced by Sels, he is however IMO good enough to see us through to January when we can reassess

Having kept all the "main" players & shifted some of the fringe ones we are IMO in a better position than before even though we have lost a world class player that enabled us to keep the rest & I think we've got enough to see us comfortably above the bottom 3 even if we may have left ourselves a bit light at CB. As ever time will tell
 
seasider red said:
I think the crux of the matter is that we are all used to the club's previous scattergun approach to recruitment which we all criticised but at the same time we actually enjoyed the excitement & buzz of all those new signings, never knowing who was coming through the door right up to the last minute

It now looks as if OG has brought a much calmer more balanced & measured approach to things, prioritising quality (hopefully) over quantity which is clearly a much better approach but ultimately less exciting for us. He knew what & who he wanted & largely it looks as if he has got that.

We didn't get the Everton kid but that looks as if it was an opportunistic type signing like Anderson rather a necessity so I don't think OG will be too disappointed by not getting him. He may however be just a little disappointed that we didn't get a keeper, the fact that we tried suggests he's not 100% convinced by Sels, he is however IMO good enough to see us through to January when we can reassess

Having kept all the "main" players & shifted some of the fringe ones we are IMO in a better position than before even though we have lost a world class player that enabled us to keep the rest & I think we've got enough to see us comfortably above the bottom 3 even if we may have left ourselves a bit light at CB. As ever time will tell
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Hutchinson and Morato were main players. (And Anderson, of course.)
 
in_the_top_one said:
Must say that I'm very pleased Kalimuedo is still here. I'm optimistic that he can contribute this season. With one place available up top, Delap, Wood and Kali may be OK, with Jesus as fourth choice, if absolutely necessary.

Biggest frailty - injury to Sels.

After that, mainly worried about the gamble that Sangare and Mcatee can stand up to some energetic, athletic and skillful premier league midfields with cover from Scchhhlager, Dom and Yates. It looks very slow with very few goals to help the overhaul tally. Thank god Dom is still avaliable though - very useful utility player.

Third biggest worry is the effect of two injuries in defence. Even one means we have very limited sub options.


The starting line up lacks a bit of pace but is good. Let's hope they hold up.
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owd overhaul
 
LynxRed said:
Overall I'd call it bang average.

I think Diomande and Delap are considered, sensible and quality signings that can take us forward. Schlager on a free looks like good business to bolster the team.

However, I do think there are some gaps we've not managed to address. The obvious one is Anderson not being replaced. We've lost one of the best midfielders in the league, and haven't really looked to reinforce that area. Does Schlager bridge the gap left by Anderson? No. Our midfield is still OK, but it's obviously lost quality.

Central defence. We've adopted a system that uses 3 centrebacks, yet we've got fewer centrebacks available than we've had for a few seasons. We have 4, then we're leaning on Savona and Yates. That's got the potential to bite us.

My season estimate after the window has closed is maybe 12th-14th. If we'd added that little bit extra I'd have though we could have gone 8th-10th, maybe blagging Europe.

Looking away from our own window though, the league looks like it has numerous teams trying to implode. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton all look like shooting themselves in the foot has been a priority. Sunderland, Brighton and Brentford all have Europe to drag them down and make their seasons long and attritional.

We could do better based more on others struggling than based on us looking really good.
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I agree with this and other comments on this page. Strengthened in some areas that needed strengthening but still some weaknesses.

Window positives, kept GW and Kali.
Have a striker in Delap
Strengthened wingbacks in Munoz
Strengthen CB in arrival of Diomande at expense of Morato
Counting sales and loan fees, we are probably about £50m up on window

Window negatives
Loss of Anderson, gained Schlager and McAtee?
No back up goalkeeper of statue, no confidence in Victor.

OG can’t be expected to reshape his team in one window. He has Cuibiano arriving in Jan and possibly Andre in Jan and £50m to spend. If we really want someone like Bergvall he will be a lot cheaper in Jan. Europe cost and imploding teams will become evident.

It will take about 10 games to bed in the OG system. He will know by then where investment is required. Meanwhile the assets which are Bakwa, Hutch, Morato, Bindon and Abbott could all ascend. Injuries to midfielders or Sels are my main anxiety.
 
PsychoTheLegend said:
The Summer window has SLAMMED shut.
What are everyone's realistic views of our business and which position in the EPL is achievable?

The appointment of an elite coach in Glasner has fundamentally changed how we conduct business in my opinion. We've seen a more sensible and mature approach to transfers.

Glasner prefers a small squad and he definitely had time to assess our squad during pre-season.

We've seen several ins and outs. We knew Anderson was going and I think it fair to say we all expected a CM replacement. But we've not been at training, Glasner thinks McAtee can step up. We tried for players but I think price was a factor. We've also seen the implications of SCR. It doesn't benefit us or 13 other EPL clubs. The so called big 6 will be able to spend far more than we thought.

We've signed some good players, we've moved on several who needed a loan, or, a fresh start. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Diomande develop under Glasner.

Glasner has spoken of reality, steady progression and consistency. He's taken a calculated risk with midfield and at centre half, but we have to trust him. He's the highly paid Head Coach after all.

Realistically, 12th is achievable. Talk of a top 8 finIsh is fantasy. I would hope that in his many discussions with EM, Glasner has tempered our owner's ambitions.

We have a good squad with a top quality coach. We have signed players he wanted. He has said that it'll take 3-6 months for his ideas to fully embed within the squad.

A solid 7/10 window for me.
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Sorry chap, but he is not an elite coach. If he were, he wouldn't be at Forest. Everything else is pretty much spot on.

I think most reasonable Forest supporters are not expecting a top 8 given the recent turmoil and the rebuilding currently happening. I would snap your hand off for 12th if I am being honest.
 
in_the_top_one said:
Hutchinson and Morato were main players. (And Anderson, of course.)
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Perhaps main players was wrong choice of phrase although I’m sure you know what & who I meant what I meant was “first team regulars” that though both have had runs in the team certainly morato couldn’t be viewed as such Hutchinson borderline & certainly under OG’s system he’d probably have been a bit part player
 
seasider red said:
Perhaps main players was wrong choice of phrase although I’m sure you know what & who I meant what I meant was “first team regulars” that though both have had runs in the team certainly morato couldn’t be viewed as such Hutchinson borderline & certainly under OG’s system he’d probably have been a bit part player
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The other point about the "option to buy" on Hutchinson is that it is €40M, i.e. close to what Forest paid for him. I think that is pretty good, since Forest overpaid! Either Forest get Hutchinson back having spent a season at one of the top teams in Serie A and playing in the Champions League, or they get as a fee what they paid for him. Since Forest overpaid for him, that is still very good, despite what doom- mongers were saying on here yesterday.
 
seasider red said:
Perhaps main players was wrong choice of phrase although I’m sure you know what & who I meant what I meant was “first team regulars” that though both have had runs in the team certainly morato couldn’t be viewed as such Hutchinson borderline & certainly under OG’s system he’d probably have been a bit part player
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How regular do you call regular?
Morato played 36 times for us last season - 21 times in the league - and we only played two central defenders then. Even with the arrival of Diomande, he could have had a lot of game time this season

Hutchinson played in 40 games including 31 league games. Maybe his chances would have been limited this year compared to last, but if we're chasing a game, the chance to bring on a bit of pace and trickery might have made him one of the first sub options despite the system. It would have looked like he was taking one of the number ten positions but he would have still drifted wide right and played his game. No bad thing if Munoz/Aina were tiring.
 
chandos9 said:
The other point about the "option to buy" on Hutchinson is that it is €40M, i.e. close to what Forest paid for him. I think that is pretty good, since Forest overpaid! Either Forest get Hutchinson back having spent a season at one of the top teams in Serie A and playing in the Champions League, or they get as a fee what they paid for him. Since Forest overpaid for him, that is still very good, despite what doom- mongers were saying on here yesterday.
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The point about Hutchinson is that he's already pretty good and he's young. If he does well there we won't see him again and, in this crazy world, a player who has impressed in the champions league might be worth even more.
But, if the doom mongrels (TM) are right about him and his shit in Italy, then, err, we get him back.
 
in_the_top_one said:
The point about Hutchinson is that he's already pretty good and he's young. If he does well there we won't see him again and, in this crazy world, a player who has impressed in the champions league might be worth even more.
But, if the doom mongrels (TM) are right about him and his shit in Italy, then, err, we get him back.
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Hutch played 31 league games but did very little in those 31. His best game was 30mins, Leeds at home. Very few stand out moments in a team set up to force space wide for wingers to utilise. The failure of all our wingers, CHO, Hutch, Ndoye, Bakwa was one of the reasons why Forest struggled.
 
I feel we can do ok with this squad and manager

Compared to our strongest team last season weve only lost Anderson

I like ALL the new signings except Benda

Mcatee is like a new signing as well
Kali potentially like a new signing

Cunha now an integral part of the squad

Jesus now used to EPL

Ndoye might step up. We know he can score goals.

I think Netz and Savona can both contribute as well

Platform for CHO now to challenge as well

I like OG I like his system

And no Europe to worry about

Having a smaller squad keeps them all involved and helps with togetherness I think

We had to let players like Abbott and Morato go. Not enough minutes to keep them here

OG clearly didnt fancy Hutch

Lets go for it. Be positive and enjoy what we have - especially MGW whilst weve got him

Its all supposed to be fun isnt it? Rather than fear or disappointment
 
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I would give the window a 7/10. We are one CM away from it being an 8/10, and if we had managed to get Henderson, that could have been a 10/10.

The positives are keeping Williams, MGW. The lack of a CM will give more chances to McAtee, Schlager and likely Dom to have a 16 game trial until January.

We will see Cunha and Diomande have plenty of minutes also, and Delap now has the starting shirt.

Hoping that Ndoye, Kali, and Jesus make the most of their chances alongside MGW.

Future thoughts - Sels and John will be need replacing by this time next year. We will need that top CM signing, maybe January, or at least cover or a top prospect here.

Worries - Will MGW and Williams be here next Summer? What are we going to do with CHO

12TH-15TH finish for us as it stands. Maybe top 10 if we can hang around 12/13th until January and add that one or 2 we need (CM, CB cover, maybe GK
 
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