ALEX McLeish feels it is too soon to properly assess the strengths and weakness of his squad.
But he does believe that there is more to come from one player in particular – Lewis McGugan.
"We have to get every ounce of McGugan's talent into this team and into this squad," he said.
"I don't really know his personality yet, but the guys tell me he has knuckled down, that he is working hard.
"The fitness coach says he has agreed to get his weight down, which he has. It shows the lad cares.
"We have seen one or two flashes of what he can do – there was a little back-heel to Andy and the run on the right side.
"These players are worth their weight in gold – players who can make a difference. Lewis can certainly make a difference. But obviously he has a lot of competition."
McGugan is one of several key players who are out of contract in the summer, along with Dexter Blackstock, Lee Camp and Radi Majewski.
And McLeish says it is something he hopes to address as a matter of urgency.
"Yes, it is," he said. "We will talk with the chief executive, with the recruitment team and with the coaches. We will get everyone around the table and assess what we feel is the right way to go forward for Nottingham Forest."
If McLeish can get those players tied to a new deal – and potentially persuade Billy Sharp to make his move more permanent – then his popularity at Forest would be in no doubt.
