Nick Barmby hopes to keep his Hull City side together after the club's play-off hopes were dashed despite beating Nottingham Forest.
Cotterill fears exit of loan stars
Nick Barmby hopes to keep his Hull City side together after the club's Championship play-off hopes were dashed despite beating Nottingham Forest.
An own goal from Chris Gunter and a penalty from Matty Fryatt put the Tigers two goals up before Radoslaw Majewski scored a consolation for Nottingham Forest in stoppage time.
But results elsewhere mean promotion this season is now beyond them and Barmby has turned his attention to ensuring the nucleus of the team remains intact next season.
"We've got the basis of a good side that can only get better with the right additions," said Barmby.
"We have some very good young players. I fully expect those players to stay. I wouldn't be a happy man if they left.
"We've got our [transfer] targets and any new players need to suit the way we play.
"Without a shadow of doubt, we need to get the signings into the club as soon as possible.
"We have got to keep building. We can't just have one season where we've finished close to the play-offs.
"With me managing this club, I want this club to be ambitious. We want to challenge and have a good crack at it next year."
Pleased
Barmby also praised his side for showing they can grind out a 2-1 win despite being second best for long periods.
"I'm really pleased with the result because we didn't play well," he added.
"The lads saw out a difficult game through their attitude and commitment. This is a game that possibly we would have lost a month ago.
"I said to the players at half-time that we didn't want that end-of-season feel to the game. I wanted us to go out by making noises in this division."
Forest manager Steve Cotterill was pleased with his team's efforts, but was left frustrated by referee Geoff Eltringham's award of a crucial penalty to the hosts.
"I thought we dominated all of that game and I don't know how we lost it," Cotterill said.
"It was unfortunate own goal, but with the penalty, he [Eltringham] couldn't wait to give it. It's the softest penalty you'll ever see.
Disappointed
"I'm disappointed with that because we've had two away games in a row that we've been on the rough end of decisions.
"Our performance today was every bit as good as the one at Reading in midweek, but we've ended up with nothing again."
Cotterill also feels the summer will be key to Forest's chances next season - not least because they have come to rely on their loan stars, such as Wolves pair George Elokobi and the influential Adlene Guedioura.
He added: "It's a pity we didn't have some of our loan players in earlier in the season as they have done very well.
"If we end up with those players going and our out-of-contract players going, then we've got no chance next season.
"I know players who I'd like to bring to the club, and we have to do it by hook or by crook.
"The earlier we do it, the better, as the later it gets the more expensive they will be."
