Daniel Farke praised the new additions to his Leeds United squad but was keen to make sure the board knows he needs more depth in the last week of the transfer window.
The Whites won at Nottingham Forest for the second time in four days to progress into the second round of the League Cup with a 2-0 win.
Nico Elvedi was the man of the match and James Trafford made another big save to ensure his team also kept back-to-back clean sheets in a team which featured six changes from the Premier League encounter.
But on a night where Lukas Nmecha struggled at centre-forward and Sean Longstaff's wonderful pass to set up the opening goal disguised an otherwise difficult night, Farke did not want to gloss over the shortcomings in his squad.
"We had to wait very long for a win here at Nottingham, especially with a clean sheet, and to do this two times within three days at such a tough ground, this remarkable level of performance was outstanding," he said. "Saturday was really a tight game, but today I think it's never in doubt it was a fully-deserved win.
"I think we dominated the game in many, many periods, we were excellent, defended really well.
"In each half I think we gave one chance away, but then the final moments were spot on, either with a good save in the second half (by Trafford) or a good tackle in the first half (from Joe Rodon).
"But my only concern at half-time was that we didn't reward ourselves for a really good performance.
"When you play against a good side, sometimes there is a counter-attack or a deflected strike, and then the momentum changes in the game, but not today. We stayed on it, also in the second half, and I think it's not in doubt it was a fully deserved win.
"We had probably a few candidates for man of the match.
"Nico is definitely one of them, because there was such a performance after just being with us for a few days. He was outstanding against a physical striker like Chris Wood - he's scored so many goals over the last few years.
"Not knowing all his team-mates he shows his quality and his experience.
"I think he was excellent with the ball, calm and composed in possession. Oone of the reasons why we were nearly unpressable was his quality in possession.
"I didn't expect anything else, because I've worked with him with enormous quality, and his CV speaks for himself. It's a very good piece of business, and he will help us in the future."
Elvedi certainly made a good case to force his way into the back three that started the Premier League season, but Farke was ken to keep that in perspective.
"All my centre-backs have delivered so far," he said. "That's quite good.
"So far we've played four centre-backs for three positions, but I doubt that over the long season just four centre-backs are needed.
"So for that, we have to stay awake.
"I wouldn't say that we have too many proper and proven centre-backs," he said. "All the senior players available who were not in the starting line-up for the last game, made it today into the line-up.
"We had some young lads with us also for the last game and also for this game but I think it's important that we don't put the burden of staying in the Premier League and being successful on their small shoulders.
"They should organically grow.
"It's important that we add a bit more because I wouldn't say that the group is too big at all.
"At the moment, we definitely need a few more experienced players back, hopefully from injury, like Willy Gnonto, like Gabi Gudmundsson, like Ilia Gruev and also hopefully a few more signings."
Farke was delighted for James, a player who has been with him throughout his Elland Road tenure, but has too often struggled with injury.
"It would be possible to speak a lot about his situation," he said.
"I'm so unbelievably happy and delighted for Daniel James because he's a brilliant player and an even better human being.
"It was such a tough last season, with many injuries. We had not scored one goal when he was on the pitch last season.
"He knew this and it was tough for him today because he was not the only one to blame for it, but that was the reality.
"He himself has not scored a goal in ages.
"After such a year it's also realistic to say, the chances don't come around that often any more but if they come around, you have to grab them with both hands. I think this is what he did.
"We tried to create today for him a bit of a role. He was not a winger, he wasn't a wing-back, he was something in between.
“But against the ball and also in possession, excellent, a very all-around game. I'm so happy this will be a big boost for his confidence, for his rhythm. I'm so, so delighted for him."
After the game Forest coach Oliver Glasner was keen to stress how much further ahead of his club Leeds are.
"I just watched a few clips and it was a frustrating night," said the Austrian, one of nine new managers in this season's Premier League and like Farke, clearly anxious to get his message across to those above.
"This is what we have to accept, what everybody has to accept, it's the reality. When you play Leeds twice and you lose both games that means Leeds is better and is further (ahead than) where we are right now. And that's the reality.
"It's hard, it's tough, but if you ignore the reality, then you live in your dreamland.
"On Saturday I would say it was all square, but today they were better.
"They're very consistent now, had a great pre-season and you could see why – very aggressive, clear structure."
A centre-forward, a left-back and a goalkeeper who will allow Lucas Perri to move on are the priorities for Farke, who has signed four new players in this window.
The transfer deadline is 11pm on Tuesday.