Davies: Turn City Ground into a cauldron
NOTTINGHAM Forest must make the City Ground an intimidating cauldron of noise as they look to seal their Championship survival, Billy Davies said today.
With two of their three remaining games to come at home – starting with the visit of Coventry today – the Reds boss believes their survival could be decided on the banks of the River Trent.
And, after escaping the powder-keg atmosphere of Bramall Lane with a point on Monday, Davies hopes Forest fans can make the City Ground as difficult a place to play as the Blades fans.
The Forest manager believes victory today would take them a big step towards survival and says the fans can play their part.
"It is not as intimidating at the City Ground as it can be at Bramall Lane, and we need to get to that stage," he said.
"We had a real rough ride there and, while it is getting much, much better at the City Ground, we are not quite there yet.
"Over the last couple of games the positive vibes from the fans have been first class.
"They have helped us, without doubt.
"But we have to get that intimidation that there is at Bramall Lane here at the City Ground. We need that in place next season and before."
And Davies insists his Forest players should not fear any of their remaining opposition in the Championship, with further games to come against Blackpool (A) and Southampton (H).
"You go to Bramall Lane and you know what to expect," he said.
"But our players have to realise that Forest is a big club and we should be able to go to places like that without fear.
"The only thing we have to fear is our own indiscipline and lack of concentration.
"If we want to be one the big boys in this division we have to go into each game with a big mentality, to go into the each game proud to wear the red jersey and, more importantly, proud to help this club move forward."
Davies hopes Forest can avoid getting sucked into a final-day fight for survival with Southampton, who are currently second from bottom.
"We are hoping we can get over the line before the final day, from that point of view we know the importance of the next two matches," he said.
"A win would take us a big step towards safety, it is a big three points for us this weekend.
"If we can get the win and the other results go for us, we could end up going into that Blackpool game needing only a point or three to get the job done."
16 Comments
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by warksred, Rugby
Monday, April 20 2009, 8:59AM
“Here's an idea
drop all prices down to £15-£18 for adults, that way more people would come on a more regular basis and generate an atmosphere like Saturday v Cov. Drop in prices would see attendances rise - so you;d still get the same amount of money thru the door (maybe more), plus it can only be beneficial to the players to know that they have a strong loud and large backing (no player wants to play in a quiet ground with no passion).
Plus dropping kids prices would get them thru the door more often and wanting more, would get them experiencing what a noisy football ground with passionate home fans is all about
great result saturday! now finish the survival job with a week to go!”
by Beltex, Belper
Saturday, April 18 2009, 4:11PM
“On the contrary, Dave has summed up exactly what Billy is saying. If you want the translation from the original Wegie version, Billy said "Fickle, Fickle fanbase".”
by T, Notts
Saturday, April 18 2009, 12:20PM
“sat silent...says it all dont it!? clown”
by dave, notts
Saturday, April 18 2009, 12:10PM
“sat silent - what Billy says is true. We only sing when we're winning.”
by T, Notts
Saturday, April 18 2009, 11:53AM
“its true, our away support is good. if only we had that from our home fans.”
by sat silent, in cap Corner...
Saturday, April 18 2009, 11:13AM
“Thanks Billy its nice to know you think the Blunts fans are better than the CG fans . Everytime i think i might be swaying towards liking this clown he goes and says something stupid...”
by The Grim Reaper, Lower Brian Clough Stand
Saturday, April 18 2009, 10:45AM
“Let's hope our beloved Forest are up for this. I remember the last time we played Coventry when we were in the Championship and fighting relegation - we bottled it big time then. At least now we have a decent Manager who knows what he's doing. I predict a 3-0 win for us. U reds.”
by Graham, Beeston
Saturday, April 18 2009, 10:28AM
“My old nerves are jangling already. It can't be emphasised enough what a massive step towards safety 3 points would be today. I can't even contemplate losing. BD knows that the ball is firmy in our court today and this is the best opportunity we will have to pull away from the bottom three. I reckon about 48,000 eyes will be glued to the scoreboard at both half time and full time. good luck to Charlton, Palace, Donnie, Reading and Wednesday today and to Ipswich tomorrow. COME ON YOU RED UNS. Lets hear all four sides of the CG rise as one today and lift the Trickies. Yoooooooooooo Rrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeddddddsssss”
by Rog, Tupton
Saturday, April 18 2009, 10:23AM
“I can see why these articles don't carry the name of the author. Or maybe the NEP thinks us footie fans aren't up to noticing rubbish journalism?
"Davies hopes Forest fans can make the City Ground as difficult a place to play as the Blades fans".
Back to night school.”
by Rog, Tupton
Saturday, April 18 2009, 10:07AM
“Good analysis of the situation from BD. We need to up the tone today even more and stick to our guns even if things aren't going right at some point. We all have to stay firmly put till the end too, whatever the numbers Womble has hung on the Shippo's scoreboard. Woops, flashback!”