Burns: I'm as frustrated as the next fan but we must get behind the team
NO doubt after being given a few days off, the Nottingham Forest squad will be regrouping at their Wilford training base this week.
While the likes of Robert Earnshaw and Chris Gunter remain on international duty with Wales, the bulk of the Reds squad will be back in training.
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Kenny Burns
But when they do meet up, ahead of a big game against in-form Millwall at the City Ground this weekend, there will be no new faces around.
The lack of action in the transfer window is something that has left many fans fuming.
Although he hasn't come out and said it himself, manager Billy Davies will be seething.
As a Forest fan, I wanted them to strengthen, to bring in a few players of quality to really put the Reds in pole position for promotion.
I said when the window slammed shut without Peter Whittingham or Darren Pratley coming in, it was a huge blow.
I stand by the fact that Forest are in danger of being caught standing still while all their rivals overtake them.
It is not the best way to build on last season's third place Championship finish – quite the opposite.
There is no denying the Reds need to strengthen but, as it stands, they cannot afford to mope around.
There is talk of fans boycotting games, potential demonstrations and the likes, such is their anger at the club's heirarchy for not making signings.
The supporters are understandably upset after the failure back in January to strengthen, not to mention the window that has just closed.
There could be a backlash at the weekend, but I hope that is not the case. It is nothing to do with the players, it is not their fault.
And, after a winless start to the season, the players will be lacking confidence. But they cannot afford to be caught feeling sorry for themselves.
Apart from the possible additions of a few loan players – which is not the long-term answer – the squad that comes in for training this week is the one that has to get the club through to January when the window reopens.
It will be tough and injuries and suspensions could create further, unimaginable problems. But the fact of the matter is no permanent signings are coming through the door in 2010. End of story.
When Millwall arrive on Saturday, no matter what has happened, the fans have to get behind the manager and the players. The club needs three points, desperately, to get the campaign up and running.
And, despite it being small in terms of numbers, there are quality players in the squad.
As for Davies, he now has to knuckle down and get on with the job of dealing with the players at his disposal, utilising them in the best way possible.
That is what he is great at, as we have seen many times in the past.
In an ideal world, Davies would have half a dozen new players to work into the equation. But, as we know, this world is far from perfect.
While challenging for automatic promotion might be too much to ask for, everyone in that dressing room now has the chance to prove they can play a pivotal role in the club's future.
Winning football matches will put a smile back on everybody's face – the manager, players and fans.
The team is capable of getting on a winning run, I'm sure of that.
And if they can navigate themselves through the next few months without suffering too much damage, January might prove third time lucky.
At that point, Davies and the fans might get their wish and the players the team craves for an automatic promotion assault will arrive.
The hope is, by then, it is not too late. Only the current squad can make sure that isn't the case, by keeping Forest in contention come the turn of the year.
I understand the frustration of supporters, I am one of them. But, when Saturday comes, continue to get behind the players.
After all, the most important thing is that the club records a first victory of the season this weekend.
57 Comments
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by you must be mad, to get rid of him
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 7:07AM
“Doughty put 10 million into the club last season, Colin Fray Radio Nottm,its not just for players with only 20,000 fans its keeping the club afloat”
by robert haining, glasgow
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 5:59AM
“i emailed comments last night, why have they not been posted?”
by Tom, Stapleford
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:30PM
“Breaking News!! Doughty is considering selling Forest and a bid has been put forward by an 'Irish' Consortium. My source is a Forest board member.
NO FURTHER INVESTMENT FOR NOW”
by T, Notts
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:23PM
“Billy Davies came here and took on the job having knowing the restraints. He was told about the acquisitions panel and the reason they're there. Therefore stop moaning Billy
Get Billy Out!”
by Tricky In London Exile, London
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:21PM
“ND hasn't been in charge for 11 years, he picked up the pieces of years if profligacy later. He has put significant money into the club every year. Every manager except Paul Hart has had significant money relative to our rivals to
invest in players. And despite the last two windows that still includes BD. Many others would have pulled the plug on us ages ago (Pompey, Southampton, Leeds, Sheff Weds are clear examples). At the same time he has made significant mistakes, not least in appointing appalling managers such as Kinnear and Megson. Criticisms are part of parcel and often valid, but be careful what you wish for sometimes. ND is a fan, has supported the club when it really could have gone under and continues right now toinvest in the long term (e.g. Developments at the academy). We all want success now and simply getting rid of him is highly, highly unlikely to get new owners who would put more in to support the long term development and future of the club.”
by DOUGHTY OUT !, Nottingham
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:05PM
“Nigel Doughty has ruined this club in his 11 years in charge !
In my opinion we'd be much better off without this loser and the equally inept Mark Arthur.
Doughty has never ever made any serious investment in this club and thats why we are still in the Second division of english football. We keep hearing about him putting millions in the club but what about the money he's taken out of it ?
During his disasterous 11 year reign he has sold off some pretty exceptional talent and he will do it again.
During his time here the fans have been constantly lied to and ripped off and i for one will never put another penny into his pocket.
Doughty is no hero at NFFC, he is no saviour and never will be !
Look at the facts and you will see total Failiure during his 11 years !
Saved us from extinction- you're having a laugh. What club of Forest's size has ever suffered extinction ?
Doughty has ruined this club and we will never ever get back to the top flight under his ownership !
DOUGHTY OUT !”
by Doughty Out, Nottingham
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:01PM
“Nigel Doughty has ruined this club in his 11 years in charge !
In my opinion we'd be much better off without this loser and the equally inept Mark Arthur.
Doughty has never ever made any serious investment in this club and thats why we are still in the Second division of english football. We keep hearing about him putting millions in the club but what about the money he's taken out of it ?
During his disasterous 11 year reign he has sold off some pretty exceptional talent and he will do it again.
During his time here the fans have been constantly lied to and ripped off and i for one will never put another penny into his pocket.
Doughty is no hero at NFFC, he is no saviour and never will be !
Look at the facts and you will see total Failiure during his 11 years !
Saved us from extinction- you're having a laugh. What club of Forest's size has ever suffered extinction ?
Doughty has ruined this club and we will never ever get back to the top flight under his ownership !
DOUGHTY OUT !”
by bambam, OutThereSomeWhwere?
Monday, September 06 2010, 8:27PM
“"LATEST BREAKING NEWS" believe or not but this is from a Very Reliable source... "TONY MOWBURY" has been seen in the stands at the City Ground! You may think well so what's wrong with that? plenty of media and ex footballers are at the match and go behind the scenes to meet the manager and all, but this reliable source tells me Billy had no idea he was there and that "in the game this man has a reputation of vulturing around clubs unhappy with there manager etc. Take this has you will but I don't lie and have no reason too... this like I say without revealing my source does seem to fit in with the lack of comunication from the club and the present rumours of unrest within ;-) What if true is your views on this?”
by steve, Nottingham
Monday, September 06 2010, 5:38PM
“Just a quick thought the last few Forest managers have gone with the flow..ND gives Billy the job and said in not so many words he likes someone who rattles cages...is that the trouble..AP are used to doing their thing and the manager keeping out of it..only this time we have a manager that calls it as he finds it..lets face it for ND to get rid of Billy it goes against what he has said in public...is there a clash between MA and Billy. What Billy has said is what we all knew needed doing at the club..perhaps someone does not like Billy making to much noise as it makes them look bad in the big man's eyes..makes you wonder...and two transfer window when we could not get anyone...now what that old saying.."did he jump or was he pushed "”
by Brian Cluff, Nottingham
Monday, September 06 2010, 5:21PM
“Hi people, will there be a big crowd on Sat? what do you reckon? oh and Millwall have a good manager and staff, it's not going to be an easy match.”