Something doesn't quite correlate with the expectation of the signings coming late in the window.
I get the bit about loans. You're waiting to see those higher up the food chain get themselves sorted so you need to wait to see who they can release.
To some degree, you can understand if Forest waited to see how much interest there would be in Lewis O'Brien before signing off his departure, though it does feel his City Ground career is over before it has started, given the additional players they signed, and from his side, the poor treatment he ended up getting.
However, for frees, this surely does not hold true. Whilst player will have a little time to weigh up their options, these guys without clubs will be waiting to their own detriment once pre-season training commences and they are without an employer.
Frees are important so as mentioned specifically by
CaptainMorgans swapping out 33 year old Pukki for 27 year old Sharp and 27 year old Manning for soon-to-be 33 year old Enda Stevens is a no brainer.
Likewise if we see something in 25 year old Maitland-Niles, then I don't see too much benefit in dragging our heals.
As time ticks on, the number of candidates for our open roles will be ever decreasing.