Birtles: Davies must be given time at Forest
GARRY Birtles today appealed to Nottingham Forest fans: "Give Billy Davies time to do his job and he will turn things around."
The former Derby County manager is expected to be unveiled as the new boss at the City Ground tomorrow morning.
Davies has a good record at Championship level, having guided Preston into the play-offs and the Rams to promotion.
But he is not a universally popular appointment among supporters, with only eight per cent of more than 1,000 fans who voted in an Evening Post poll picking him as their preferred choice.
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough (pictured) was the fans favourite, picking up 40% of the vote.
But Forest legend Birtles believes Davies is equipped to pull the Reds clear of relegation trouble.
He said: "I hope Forest fans do give Billy time, because he is not the manager of Derby County any more.
"It is not a popular decision among all fans, but Billy will realise that himself.
"He will know he has to win the fans over – but he has to be given the chance to do that.
"People cannot turn on him right from the start. We have to remember that the one thing he does possess is good experience of management in the Championship.
"He did a good job at Preston and he obviously got Derby promoted as well.
"He is equipped to do a good job at Forest."
Birtles also believes Davies possesses the disciplined and methodical approach to get the best from a young squad.
"The players have ability, there is no question, but they were not producing their best consistently," he said.
"Billy is the type of figure who can get them performing. And I am sure Robert Earnshaw, who did not feature very often under Billy at Derby County, will be given the chance to prove what he can do."
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by dave, notts, england
Thursday, January 01 2009, 10:34PM
“Tree hugger - Camp is not playing in the premiership true. But Forest aren't going to pay premiership money to bring in a keeper better than Camp. Even if they would what keeper better than Camp would drop from the Pemiership to the Championship? He is the best keeper that we have had for years.”
by steve, Nottm
Thursday, January 01 2009, 8:41PM
“Needs to be given time eh? Surely our chairman must be bricking it worrying what will happen if we lose/draw his first 5 games. can you even begin to imagine the uproar at the CG if he has a poor start and then we lose to Derby? Fairplay Nigel your either seriously brave or mad. I can`t workout which.”
by wot u on about, nevere never land
Thursday, January 01 2009, 8:04PM
“birtles what drug is that bloke on first its all my mate nigel for job and no other then its we give davies a go.srtop the u no wot licking and say what u think brtles instead of sitting on the fence.u can see why i come from never never land because that bloke who says u will sneak into play offs sure as hell lives their.
GET REAL U DUFFERS”
by brian, nottm
Thursday, January 01 2009, 7:35PM
“Well done boo boys. all your pathetic calderwood baiting has left us with lynch and davies and no camp. The reds fans must consistently be the worst in the country, topping the geordie boys. Put up, shut up and get behind the team.”
by Tree Hugging FETISH, Sherwood FOREST
Thursday, January 01 2009, 5:58PM
“Patrick CAMP IS A QUALITY keeper, SMITH is POOR. How many points have FOREST lost due to the opp goalie having a blinder, FOSTER from MAN U on loan till end of season.camp is not coming back”
by Patrick E Tree, Nottingham
Thursday, January 01 2009, 5:00PM
“Tree Hugging fetish, Lee Camp IS that good. I don't know why he hasn't been playing for QPR and I don't care. What I do know is that he is clearly a quality keeper. Can't believe you're a Forest supporter if you haven't seen that for yourself!”
by paul, old basford
Thursday, January 01 2009, 4:57PM
“who did you want as manager barry?”
by Barry teh Nose, Vic Centre
Thursday, January 01 2009, 4:09PM
“One unproven jock replacing another, great...”
by wk, notts
Thursday, January 01 2009, 2:56PM
“For heavens sake give the guy a break!!! wanting BD out before he's even started!!! Lets hope he can get a once brilliant free flowing football team out the sticks. As somebody as already mentioned "yes he's from Derby and so was B Clough. Look what he did for the club. He put us on the footballing map around the world. Maybe he is not the right choice but for gods sake give him a chance.
Will all the critics stand up and send their apologies IF he is a success....I THINK NOT!!!!!!!
COME ON U REDS n GOOD LUCK BD”
by dhow, nottm
Thursday, January 01 2009, 1:58PM
“I thought it was Phil Brown that dropped Camp, why do people keep saying it was Davies????Come on Nep do some reporting and put the record straight”