NEW Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies today thanked the fans for their fantastic backing at the Valley.

The Reds were roared on by more than 3,000 supporters as they eased to a 2-0 win over fellow Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic.

"I thought the away fans were fantastic. I thank them for their great support and the way they got behind the team. It was very pleasing to see that," said Davies.

"I thought they were very positive right from the start, I felt they were right behind us from the first minute. They gave us great support.

"It is a long journey to Charlton and it was a cold day, so thanks to them for making the trip because they were a big help to us.

"As I have said before, what the Forest fans need to realise is that we are here to do everything we can to turn this club around and make it into a strong Championship side.

"What the fans need to realise is that there will be a lot of mischief-making in the future, a lot of people trying to create a monster that doesn't exist.

"The vast majority of Forest fans are behind me, I know that. The situation is that we find ourselves 16 miles away from Derby.

"There will always be that little bit of stirring taking place because of that."

The Forest fans were rewarded for their dedication on a freezing afternoon by a heart-warming, hard fought victory.

"We got through it and got a very, very good three points. I said to the players at the end that they have got to focus now on the next match, they have to start preparing now," said Davies.

"We will work very hard over the next five days or so to make sure we are ready for the next home game.

"We have got to get the home form right now, we know that. But it is basically just about picking up points.

"And, with a couple of new signings in their squad and a big crowd, coming to Charlton and getting a win was big for us, because a lot of sides will struggle to get anything at the Valley.

"We have stood up to an experienced side and come out on top in a difficult match.

"We know the players we have got, we know the situation. There is lots in our game that we have to improve on. We have shown our inexperience at times when we have given the ball away and when we have done little things that we have to sort out quickly.

"But the quality, spirit and energy that we have got, along with the determination, is absolutely first class."

Davies paid tribute to Nathan Tyson and Robert Earnshaw, who struck within the space of a few first-half minutes to put Forest in control.

"They were great goals, both very well taken after a difficult start to the match," he said.

"This is a difficult place to play, they have a big squad and a lot of tough players who have been there and done it.

"For our young players to come here and get through it deserves great credit.

"Tys has a slight toe injury and he was a massive loss to us at half time, because we lost his pace on the counter-attack.

"But hopefully he will be okay for next weekend."