ALEX McLeish was today waiting to see if the shock changes to the Nottingham Forest hierarchy will influence his hopes off adding to his squad in January.
Manager McLeish was hoping a fresh bid for winger Chris Burke might persuade Birmingham to do business, possibly even before the Reds take on Derby tomorrow.
But with chief executive Mark Arthur and head of player recruitment Keith Burt both having been ushered out the exit, along with former chairman Frank Clark – who had an ambassadorial role – it remains unclear who would handle any negotiations for new signings.
Club owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi had an integral role at Kuwaiti club Qadsia, where he was president, and may now take a more hands-on approach at Forest.
But his first task may be to put a more positive PR spin on some of the decisions, one of which saw Forest favourite, former player, manager and chairman Clark, informed by letter that he is being put on gardening leave – a legal side effect of which is that he is not allowed to go to the City Ground or talk to anyone at the club where he spent a large portion of his career.
"To say I am disappointed is an understatement," said Clark, who didn't want to comment further.
In the meantime, McLeish – who did not have any influence in the changes – must prepare his side for a difficult trip to Pride Park, amid a period of considerable unrest.
He will be hoping the changes do not impact on his efforts to add to his squad, with George Boyd also still a target, despite the fact Peterborough are understood to be taking a tough stance on a player who, like Burke, is out of contract in the summer.
"It is important, as a manager, to sign players who you know," said McLeish. "You might unearth the odd diamond that you do not know much about, from another country.
"They are the kind of player you might want to take on loan.
"But, when it comes to permanent additions, I would prefer to be looking at players who I know about.
"I still want to make signings and I do believe that, if I can get the three players I want, it will improve us and give us a chance when it comes to competing in the play-offs or, with a bit of luck, perhaps even doing better than that."
One position Forest are no longer looking to strengthen is that of goalkeeper. McLeish has seen enough of Karl Darlow to believe he deserves a chance to prove he is ready to be Forest's first-choice stopper.
"The only keeper coming in will be Khalid Al-Rashidi, the Kuwaiti player who we have successfully secured a work permit for," said McLeish. "He will be back up to Karl Darlow until as such time as he acclimatises.
"Karl is a good keeper. He is a confident keeper. He is at the stage of his life where he is capable.
"Blackburn have thrown in their young keeper, Jake Kean. He was released by Derby earlier in his career. But it shows how, with hard work and perseverance, you can bounce back. Karl does not need to bounce back, but he does have some catching up to do when it comes to experience at this level.
"But when is he going to get it, if we do not give him a chance?"
