There was a time not all that long ago in which transfer talk would be met by trepidation by those at Nottingham Forest.
Especially when it comes to exciting home-grown talent.
Jermaine Jenas, David Prutton, Michael Dawson and Andy Reid were among the first wave to disappear after the Reds last slipped off a Premier League stage.
Since then, the likes of Wes Morgan, Jamaal Lascelles and Oliver Burke have followed.
Barricading the exit doors has proved problematic.
That no longer appears to be the case.
Sales are now only sanctioned when it benefits the greater good.
Rather than cash in on players of potential, said qualities are being embraced and tied to fresh terms.
Brennan Johnson, Alex Mighten, Matty Cash and Joe Worrall have all committed to new deals in the 2019-20 campaign alone.
Displays of ambition are more common that acts of destruction.
Points on the board are preferred to money in the bank.
Lively
(Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Which all bodes well heading towards the summer.
It promises to be another lively few months at the City Ground when another window swings open.
Plenty of contracts on Trentside are running down.
Many will be allowed to expire, dropping certain individuals into the free agent pool.
Others will be extended, with discussions already in the pipeline.
There will then be the customary flurry of fresh faces welcomed on board, regardless of the division that Forest find themselves in.
Evangelos Marinakis and Co will either be bolstering the ranks for a return to the top tier or preparing for another shot at it.
A step up in class would make that process easier.
Especially when it comes to retaining those who are not for sale.
Cash, Worrall etc are expected to continue attracting admiring glances from afar.
Ben Watson has told the Nottingham Post of the speculation which surrounded Cash in January, as he was linked with the likes of West Ham and AC Milan: “It was no surprise there was interest in him, and no doubt there will be interest in the summer as well.
“He’s young and it’s his first season playing that position, so he’s going to get better. He’s a good kid and he’s willing to learn, so he can keep improving.”
Thrived
Cash has thrived at right-back since being nudged into a defensive berth from a spot on the wing.
His eye-catching development has been noted from the City Ground to San Siro.
He has, however, offered no indication that he is looking for a move.
Cash said in the Post when quizzed on the interest he has generated: “It’s nice to have clubs chasing you, but Forest is my main aim, I didn’t want to go anywhere at all.
“For me, it’s nice that people are watching, but my aim is Forest. I’m here, I’m a Forest player and I want to succeed here.
“I want my future to be here. I didn’t let it bother me – you know what football is like! I’m really happy here.”
Why wouldn’t he be?!
The grass is not always greener, as many of those offloaded by Forest in the past have found out.
Cash will harbour dreams of gracing the top flight.
That, though, is the ultimate goal for everyone in NG2 and there is no longer reason to fear the transfer waves which roll down the Trent and in with the mist.
Swim not sink has become the philosophy which must be maintained in 2020 and beyond.