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Smaller but stronger - Fray on Glasner's Forest squad
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- Smaller but stronger - Fray on Glasner's Forest squad
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Nottingham Forest negotiated a total of five incomings over the summer transfer window.
Two players came in on free transfers; Xaver Schlager, who Oliver Glasner very much wanted, and Steven Benda, who has strengthened the goalkeeping cover a little bit - but there have also been some big money signings.
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The club has spent £22m on Daniel Munoz, a potential club-record £50m on Liam Delap and £34m on Ousmane Diomande. All of which are players Glasner wanted. All of which will fit into his system.
When we cast our minds back, Glasner was very insistent that he wanted to sign two players before the end of the transfer window. Those two players have turned out to be Delap and Munoz, so he will be happy with the squad he has got.
A lot of fans might look at the squad and feel it is a bit thin. There are currently 23 senior players, plus Jair Cunha, so there are two slots to fill on that squad list.
That being said, I don't detect any discontent from Glasner about the business that has been done. They have essentially had a window for him.
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After the Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United , he did say: "Let's see how the squad looks at the end of the transfer window; then if we need to change the shape, we will change the shape."
When you look at what's happened at the end of the transfer window - with the likes of natural wingers Dilane Bakwa and Omari Hutchinson going out on loan - it has very much been a case of Glasner-style players coming in.
I don't think we will see a change of shape now. If you look at the current squad, it is very much tailored to a 3-5-2 formation.
Maybe they are a central defender short but there are only 16 games until the next window opens, free agents are available, and other squad members can fill in if needed.
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I don't think he ever wanted wholesale changes because I think he was fairly happy with the squad he inherited anyway, but they have added quality in the areas he specifically highlighted.
The fact that Forest didn't feel the need to sign anybody on deadline day just kind of says it all about the difference in approach this time around.
But the proof in the pudding will be in the eating, so we will see how Glasner and his squad cope with the next 16 Premier League games.
In my opinion, the current squad is small but stronger than it was at the start of the transfer window, with the caveat of not really ever wanting to lose a player like Elliot Anderson.
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Listen to Colin Fray's full thoughts on BBC Sounds
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