NOTTINGHAM Forest fans are up in arms. They just want an answer to one simple question. Why did the Reds fail to strengthen before the transfer window closed?

After the same thing happened back in January, the fury of many supporters has intensified, mainly aimed at chairman Nigel Doughty and chief executive Mark Arthur.

The Reds have not had the best start to the season prior to this weekend's international break. No wins from four league games plus an early exit from the Carling Cup.

With no new additions, if things don't go right on the pitch when the action resumes, there will be even more pressure on everybody – the players, manager and board. More questions will be asked.

That is not what you want at the start of a season.

Yet nothing is coming out of the City Ground by way of explanation.

We have heard from manager Billy Davies in previous weeks but he can only say so much, intimating from his point of view what is happening behind the scenes.

'Advise' and 'recommend' are regular words he uses; the issue of David Pleat and the acquisitions panel subjects he touches on.

The facts are Forest failed to land top targets Darren Pratley, from Swansea, and Cardiff's Peter Whittingham.

But now the window has closed without those midfielders arriving. Only defender Ryan Bertrand was signed on loan from Chelsea. The fans are totally bewildered and frustrated. Somebody needs to speak out.

If the fans are told exactly what is going on, the reasons why nothing has happened, the thinking behind it, they might be a bit more forgiving.

I mean I, like many Forest fans, watched Sky Sports as the clock ticked down on Tuesday evening, waiting for some activity before 6pm.

When it didn't happen, you had to be concerned. Forest are supposed to be title contenders but they haven't strengthened.

The fans saw their team go so close last season, they expected to see additions to the squad to help them go one better this time round. But nothing.

I cannot help but think back to the Paul Hart era when they went so close to winning promotion to the top flight in 2003, losing in the play-offs to Sheffield United.

The following campaign, the Reds lost key players, failed to strengthen and the rest is history. It was a downward spiral that ended with three seasons in League One. Nobody wants that to happen again.

There has been something of a cat and mouse game between Davies and the board and nobody knows exactly what has been going on behind the scenes.

Billy insists he needs some stellar signings to compete, and nothing has happened.

The money that is on offer for getting into the Premier League is immense, it is a fantastic stage. It is the place to be. That is what makes it all the more annoying that Forest are not moving forward.

The failure in the transfer window will have flattened everybody, including those players in the dressing room.

Some might have found their place in the team under threat by new signings, but they'll want the competition.

After all, as Lee Camp has said in the past, they want to be playing Premier League football. They'll want players to come in who can help them achieve that with Forest.

It would have given everybody a major lift.

Paul McKenna was jeered last Saturday when substituted against Norwich, which was totally wrong.

The captain has been playing while not fully fit, but you should never boo your own players.

You only have to look at last season. His addition to the centre of midfield was pivotal to the Reds finishing third.

But maybe it was just frustration on the part of fans at the winless start to the season and a lack of transfer activity.

To be fair, the longer results stay like they are, the worse it will get.

They have not been winning games and they were not winning games in pre-season. That can quickly become a mentality among the players.

It causes a dip in confidence, the fans get anxious and all those factors have a negative effect.

There are loan options and I am sure Billy will be pursuing those, but that is not ideal.

You want stability, a permanency about the squad and that's why the manager wanted new players in by the end of last month.

What happens now with a few injuries or suspensions, especially at the back where they are already short? I dread to think.

Hopefully, the players can pull together, get that first win on the board and move forward.

But without new blood, it will be hard to replicate last season's remarkable achievement, never mind surpass it.

In the meantime, the fans need answers. If they are forthcoming, it will help them channel all their energy into getting behind the team.

If it remains quiet, it will only add fuel to the fire as the frustration deepens. There will be a rocky road ahead.