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."