Jesse Lingard deal irony not lost on Newcastle United but time is of the essence in transfer market

It's highly ironic is it not? Newcastle, tagged the richest club in the world, are stuck on three summer signings anxious to stay within FFP rules and not become wealthy mugs. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, go transfer crazy to herald the end of 23 painful years walking the wilderness.

The glamour signing of Jesse Lingard, secured by offering lorryloads of gilt edged rather than genuine prospect, was incredibly their 11th scatter gun recruitment since promotion was claimed in the Championship's play-off final at Wembley.

Great adventure or stupid extravagance? United excessively cautious or cleverly patient? Will the Forest fire singe their wings and see them crash down to earth or soar into orbit?

United will be happy if it is the first, at least on August 6, while Nottingham miracle worker Steve Cooper is obviously banking on lift off. The wider world if not the locals were expecting the Magpies to be the biggest transfer splashers of the close season and not PL newcomers but football has never been so obviously predictable.

While Lingard was touted as United's possible statement signing last January he has instead become Forest's poster boy amid their Las Vegas gamble.

However those in football who know how it works will emphasise that you cannot buy a full team off the shelf. That too many signings cannot automatically gel on day one. And Forest have 11, including two keepers.

What is certain is that the Forest side that resumes top-flight life at Newcastle in a couple of weeks will be very different in complexion from the one that beat Huddersfield 1-0 in May.

Cooper was promised a kitty of £50million after they secured promotion but excited owner Evangelos Marinakis has sanctioned around £75m of spending