Billy to ring changes as Forest go in search of elusive win
THERE may be no new signings on the horizon but, as Nottingham Forest run out at Barnsley tonight, there may be one or two new faces of a sort in the side.
Following the 'unacceptable' first half capitulation at Preston on Saturday, a frustrated Billy Davies has pledged there will be changes to the team at Oakwell this evening.
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Billy Davies
And, as the Reds look to bring an end to a run of five consecutive away defeats in the Championship, the Scot has challenged his players to grasp their opportunity.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, after that first half on Saturday, I am thinking about making changes, to give other players the chance," said Davies.
"That first half was appalling. It is unacceptable."
In the last few days, Davies has attempted to sign a left-back and a central midfielder.
On Saturday, a huge factor was the absence of Paul McKenna, the influential skipper.
And Davies admits Forest do not have somebody who can come in and do the same job.
"No, we haven't," he said. "But we do have Forest players who are paid by Forest to be midfield players.
"They have to go and play midfield, because that is why they are part of the squad. They have to stand up and be counted.
"I can only open the door for people, I can't play for them. They have to take on the challenge and show that they can do it.
"What we do have is an opportunity for Lewis McGugan, Raddy Majewski, Chris Cohen or James Perch to come in.
"They are players who know the system, know the way we train, know the way we play.
"They are players who, with six weeks to go, do not need to come in and learn about how we do things at Forest. It is not just a case of signing players, it is gelling players and fitting them into their squad.
"I have said it before, but it is time for these fringe players to stand up and be counted."
Davies will continue his search for loan signings this week.
But he added: "There is nothing in the pipeline at the minute.
"I have had a couple of major slaps in the face in the last few days, when it comes to knock-backs over people who would have been very good signings.
"But I understand why their managers did not want to let them go.
"We will keep looking and we will keep asking the questions. But it will not be easy.
"There are names on my list of targets. There is a full back we have been looking at – but he has not played for ten months.
"He is a player who would be perfect for our situation, but is he fit?
"Alternatively, do we get a player from the Premiership who is on £40k a week and ask him to put his neck on the chopping block for six weeks?
"And, if you look at the Premier League, the starting point of the wages is going to be £20k as well.
"Plus it is all happening in the top-flight. You have people who want to keep their squads together because they are fighting for Europe or because they are fighting relegation.
"There are players out there, of course there are, but are they the right type of player for us?
"We have to be very careful."
Forest's recent stuttering form away from the City Ground has seen them slip five points behind second-placed West Brom.
But Davies believes the door is still open for Forest.
"When the pressure is on, you will see the top teams slip up," he said. "Newcastle, West Brom, Forest, Cardiff, Swansea – it will happen."
Davies will tonight be hoping that Forest's run of slip-ups has come to an end.
13 Comments
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by melgarion, London, Ont, Canada
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 3:43AM
“What's an "eb"? Whatever it is you openly confess to having a small one so that disqualifies you from passing judgement ... father. Amen.”
by Grandpa, Cakey-Face
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 8:04PM
“Wheeeeeere's my caaaaaaaaaake. I waaaaant my caaaaaaaaake.”
by U REDS, Nottingham
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 7:11PM
“There is no rush for forest to go up this season.Forest need to stay down this season,add 5 or 6 players who have experience then go win the championship next season.Forest willstorm the championship next season and go up in either first or second place.Ive no doubt forest will be a stronger force next season and it will give the current squad time to build and get stronger.Plus we get the added bonus of facing the sheep 5haggin bum munchers and doing the double over them before we take our rightful place in the premiership.UUUUU REDS!”
by smalleb, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 5:23PM
“As usual CSOB has analysed the situation perfectly.
Tonight is the opportunity for Billy Davies to prove he is more than just a shrewd player purchaser.
It will be a test of his powers of selection, motivation and encouragement of a team that badly needs a win or, at the very least, a more encouraging performance.
We must all, including our friend in Canada, hope that the manager is up to the job.”
by melgarion, London, Ont, Canada
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 4:48PM
“CSOB Lenton, you make the most stupid comments on here of anyone. Actually you don't really say anything, you just state the obvious. Unless you're bashing Billy Davies that is. Go back to Derby where you come from man.”
by M, Nottm
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:53PM
“what's the rush Billy, why is so important that Forest go up this year? surley adopting a more patiencent approach would serve this club better? these players WILL be capable of playing in the prem in the next couple of seasons regardless. Newcastle, West brom have had a parachuate payment to utilise, why put pressure on Forests players? to be 3rd at this stage is remarakable considering last season.
chill grasshoper”
by John Bird, Radcliffe On Trent
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:21PM
“Where are the missing 4,000 Forest Fans? If the armchair supporters and critics were to get off there backsides and get down the City Ground and cheer the boys on the extra £100,000 Gate money would pay for two more quality players to be in the squad.So come on you part time fans get down to the City Ground and roar the team over the finishing line in to the Premiership.”
by Highbury Red, London
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:13PM
“I have no inside information but I'm sure promotion would not cost VC £6m. They are in the business of risk taking and laying and would have understood the the financial risk they were taking on and 'laid it off' in the market at the beginning of the season. Essentially they would have placed a series of bets that we get promoted to cover the pay out.”
by Gary, Hougham
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 11:38AM
“Many said it, (Billy, Garry Birtles, Kenny Burns, John McGovern, the NEP & yes me) that the board at Forest would live to regret not backing the managers advice & strengthening the squad in January. Forest are now looking at a very depleted & weakened squad when it could and should have been so different.
Now for the conspiracy theory:-
I cannot help thinking that the Forest hierarchy & Victor Chandler have done a deal for that lengthened / increased sponsorship deal in return for not strengthening the squad in January. Thus protecting against the possible £6m payout, should Forest have won the Championship.
A tall story? Well £6m is a lot of money to cost your main club sponsor, it's morre than Forest total spend on transfers for the close season 09 & I can't help thinking that some truth lies buried deep down somewhere.
I know this season has been an excellent one & far outweighed expectations, but you can't help feeling let down, can you?
To borrow a Churchillian phrase & put it in Forest terms; never have so many been let down by so few.”
by Adrian bowers, meadows
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 11:37AM
“Us and swansea need to win, simple as!”