Having seen a squad he already felt was 'unbalanced' weakened evern further by the departure of loan players and free agents, Steve Cotterill has also had to stand and watch a number of other Championship clubs make early summer moves in the transfer market.
That increases the prospect of the manager having to cobble together a group of players using free transfers and, more likely, the loan market as the big kick-off approaches on 18th August.
Takeover talk continues to swirl around which at least gives hope to supporters that something is going to happen to halt the anticipated struggle to maintain Championship status next season.
***Update***Forest announced on Friday afternoon that an exclusive period of negotiation had been granted to the Al-Hasawi family with due diligence now taking place.
Waiting game almost over?