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Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge has been discussing the Reds' transfer business on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast: "As we know, every year recruitment is the biggest issue for a football club to go forward.

"The biggest let down this year has been [Ibrahim] Sangare by a country mile. From what we expected from when we got him we thought he'd dominate midfield and be a bullish player who would knock people out of the way and control games.

"That's just not happened - on him it's a big decision for the football club because he cost a lot of money and at the moment it is not proving to be worthwhile. He has a long contract so do you give him a longer time to establish himself in the Premier League and see if he can compete better?

"His adaptation this year has not been great in a really tough league. He was a top player in Holland but in the Premier League he has not been seen to be a top player."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray added: "It is going to be interesting this summer. I don't think Forest will be quite as flamboyant in the transfer market.

"Given what has happened this season the key is to not have a points deduction again next season and to make sure if they need to sell someone before the 30 June to balance the books then they do that. I think most of us are expecting that to have to happen."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge believes "recruitment is the biggest issue within a football club" and that there will be a lot of changes made again this summer at the City Ground.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, he said: "It's just the nature of the turnover of football clubs."

"There will be players who will be moved on. You have to have a refresh every summer anyway to get younger players like Murillo - who comes in from nowhere and takes the place by storm.

"As we know every year, recruitment is the biggest issue within a football club to go forward - that is vital, the older players will get eased out in time."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray said he thinks the club will approach the window in different way to how they did last season.

"I don't think Forest will be quite as flamboyant in the transfer market this summer. Obviously, given what's happened this season, the key is to not have a points deduction again next season," he said.

"Make sure that if they have to sell someone before 30 June to balance the books - then they do that. I think most of us are expecting that to have to happen."

He added: "The problem that Forest have got here is the rule - this is what caught them last season and they can't get caught by the same thing again next season.

"In what's going to be a stronger division next season a points deduction would potentially hamper you even more."

You can listen to the whole episode here

Nottingham Forest will have to sell players before the end of June to avoid breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules and being hit with a potential points deduction next season. (i.news), external

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to be a target for Tottenham. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Heading into a third Premier League season, after 23 years away, should be considered progress but there is much to be done.

Forest clearly have talented players but their game management and set piece defending must improve while they were the fourth lowest scorers in the division. Since the start of last season they have dropped 53 points from winning positions.

Biggest success for club this season?

After their four-point deduction in March for breaching profit and sustainability rules survival was the crucial achievement this term.

Their final points total of 32 sets a new record low for Premier League survival, two fewer than West Brom’s tally of 34 in 2004-05, though so improvement is needed.

Biggest let down or frustration?

There is only one, even discounting the mammoth season tickets rises imposed on fans.

Forest’s frustration with the decisions in March’s 2-0 defeat at Everton spilled over with their controversial social media post, leading to FA and Premier League charges.

Key item on the summer agenda?

Nuno Espirito Santo has already suggested he expects interest in his players, especially Morgan Gibbs-White, so moulding the squad and keeping their best talent is crucial.

Nuno likes to work with a small squad so he will be expected to trim it this summer.

Where and how can Forest improve? Tell us here, external

Has it been a season of progress, stagnation or indifference?

What many fans hoped would be a season of consolidation and a little progression became one of frustration and annoyance, but crucially, it ended with the club safe in the Premier League for a third season. In terms of points won on the pitch, Forest were slightly down on their first season back in the top-flight. Throw in a four-point deduction and things became very tight again in terms of avoiding relegation. It’s been a stressful watch for the fans – both in terms of what’s happened on the pitch and off it, and Premier League safety drew another big sigh of relief.

Biggest success for club this season?

It’s not been a season with much success to cheer, but for me, the form of three new signings who caught the eye during the season has been a highlight – and when you consider the prices paid, it has to go down as a success for the club. Those players are Callum Hudson-Odoi (a bargain at £3m), Ola Aina (a free transfer) and Murillo. The Brazilian defender cost around £11m (plus add-ons) after only playing 13 senior games in his career. He’s been a delight to watch, and has hugely increased his value in just one season.

Biggest let down or frustration?

Has to be allowing themselves to be caught out by the PSR rules and so being deducted four points. They felt they had a strong case in mitigation – the sale of Brennan Johnson for an increased profit. But the independent panels took a dim view of that happening after the June 30th deadline – even if Forest would have made less profit by selling before then. Fans would not have been forgiving if Forest had been relegated by four points or fewer, but thankfully they were good enough on the pitch to overcome the issue. Not far behind is the huge frustration with VAR. There’s not time here to go into the 10 Premier League matches affected by perceived (and often proven) poor officiating decisions, but it’s not difficult to come up with six or seven points those proven incorrect decisions have cost them. It could be more. Hypothetically, if you add those points to their total, it becomes a far more comfortable season.

Key item on the summer agenda? Recruitment, recruitment, recruitment! For the third summer in a row, Forest are recruiting for a Premier League campaign. The first, understandably, was a whirlwind. The second remained busy and was hit and miss in terms of success. Between them, they led to that PSR rule breach. This summer, they need to make absolutely certain that they don’t fall foul of that again. Make timely sales, and if they can unearth more signings like the three mentioned above, that would be ideal!