Billy Davies warns his players not to be distracted as he makes his Nottingham Forest return

AT roughly 2.55pm today, the roof will be lifted off the City Ground.

As Billy Davies returns for a second spell as manager, Nottingham Forest fans will almost certainly give him a noisy reception.

But, while the Scotsman insists it will be a proud moment for him to walk out of the tunnel for a second time as manager of the club, he has given his players a stark message. And that is: Ignore the hype.

While Davies' return is likely to add a more passionate edge to the City Ground crowd, the boss is determined to ensure that does not become a distraction.

And, even though he may have a lump in his throat himself ahead of the Bolton game, he wants his players to remain focused on the task in hand.

"My message to the players will be simple – forget the euphoria in the stands," said Davies. "We need three points, we want three points and we have to go out and get them.

"For me, the euphoria won't matter. Yes, it will be nice. It will be nice if I do get a good welcome.

"But the most important thing is that the players don't get caught up in anything other than their focus on the game."

Davies' stance does not mean that he will not relish making a proud return to the City Ground however.

After steering the club away from the threat of relegation, after arriving in January 2009, Davies twice led the Reds into the play-off places.

And the former Preston and Derby manager admits it will be a special occasion for him.

"I am very proud to be back. I am delighted with the recognition the fans have given us for the job we have done (in the past)," he said.

"This club had one foot in League One and we turned that around.

"The fact that they welcomed us back with open arms speaks volumes about what we did before.

"People say 'never go back' and I agree with that. But I believe I am back in different circumstances.

"And I do have unfinished business."

But can Forest fans expect to see a different Billy Davies this time around, as he embarks on a second spell at the helm?

He said: "If you ask any of the players would they want me to change?

"They would say 'no'. I'm very respectful to the players and staff and they know the kind of personality I am and the demands I have.

"The welcome I had (from the players) was very pleasing. Do they want me to change? I wouldn't think so.

"It's not so much changing, it's understanding the change in the game and the people within it.

"The game is changing and people are changing within it. It's a whole new world and football clubs are viewed differently as is the information that gets to supporters.

"There is media debate and social media and all sorts of different bobs that have changed the game.

"That is a big difference."

Davies admits he enjoyed the relationship he had with the Forest fans in the past and is looking forward to resuming it.

But he also believes that popularity goes hand in hand with success – and knows he will have to work hard to earn their support for a second time.

"Don't forget I was going around in an open top bus at Derby with god knows how many supporters appreciating what I had done. They appreciated it at the time," he said.

"I also had a great relationship with Preston fans.

"I've had great relationships with the clubs I've been at.

"It'll be the same again at Forest. If you win games and do all you can, they will support you.

"But when you get beaten they are quite right to be unhappy. You expect that. That is football."

To Davies, these are familiar surroundings. He will not have to be directed to find his way from the changing rooms to the home dug out.

Nor has he struggled to acclimatise to the surroundings of the Nigel Doughty Academy training ground.

But, while there are also many familiar faces at the club, Davies says there has still been some acclimatising to be done.

"There are five or six people I know, but it does feel like a whole new club," he said. "It really is.

"Even the dressing rooms and the offices are different. There are some familiar faces here, but it is 70% a new squad.

"The club functions differently with new owners and we need to get grips with who does what.

"There have been a lot of changes made. But that is always going to be the case with new owners."

But, when the roof lifts off the stadium just before kick off this afternoon, Davies is sure to feel right at home again.