Davies questions Forest's financial power to make required signings
BILLY Davies today questioned whether Nottingham Forest have the financial power to make the signings he believes are needed for another Championship promotion push.
The Reds boss believes his side would have won at Reading on Saturday, had they had the strength in depth to cover for the loss of skipper Paul McKenna to injury in the warm-up.
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Billy Davies
Davies again warned that Forest require more 'quality and quantity' – but crucially questioned whether the club are failing to make signings because of the valuations they are putting on players.
The club have pursued both Swansea's Darren Pratley and Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham all summer but have so far had all bids rejected.
"I don't think there is any doubt that this is a match we would have won had we had that depth," said Davies.
"We don't want to be predictable. It is clear as day that we need to add depth and quantity.
"Can we afford the targets we are identifying and can we afford the salaries that these players are on? That is the big question.
"I am not going to encourage anyone to be more aggressive (in the transfer market) because that is not my domain. My role is to identify and recommend.
"Then the big decision is can we afford them?
"Then you go out and do what you do. But the bottom line is that we must add quantity and quality.
"The process is simple. But, as I said, the big question is whether you can afford them? And then there is the issue of personal terms as well. Can we or can we not afford the personal terms that players demand?"
When asked where it would leave the club if they fail to make new additions before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, Davies said: "Working with the squad and the players we have got.
"And they are needing support and help, just to give them a psychological lift.
"I would ask you to look at the other squads in the league. Me and you can sit down and look at the other squads.
"We will look at the quality and depth they have got and the additions they bring in.
"We will then compare it to Nottingham Forest and you can tell me whether we should be a top three side, whether we should be a top ten side or whether we should be a mid-table side.
"I am happy to compare what we have got in relation to everyone else."
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by Worriedred, Nottm
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 7:31PM
“Last 2 commnets absolute tosh,probably written by doughty and marthur themselves. Look back at the history under their leadership,awful! If we don't invest now they'll asset strip and we'll be back in league one again. Suppose that wasn't their faults!? Action speaker louder than words, we're doing nothing when we need to invest if we want to go up,simple football fact gentleman!”
by adam, gedling
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 6:44PM
“ND made us massive spenders last year and we had a fantastic season --- get that everyone season not 3 games, if ND has the liquid cash to put into the club (this meaning not belonging to another business he owns or remortgaging his house) i am sure as a reds fan he will invest as required... yes we could do with some extra quality players, but would you prefere to visit the city ground for years to come or be in the mess portsmouth and notts county have been in lately? i know i would prefere to be watching premiership football at the city ground but i wouldnt want to see forest getting battered by arenal 6-0... but give ND a few more years and he will return our beloved club to the top division and we will be financially secure to build while in the premiership not become a yo-yo club like so many... 100% behind ND but maybe moaning billy should go back down the A52 and play with the sheep and mickey mouse club....”
by TBRed, Sheffield
Monday, August 23 2010, 11:19PM
“I personally cannot believe the criticism for Mr Doughty on this page. People just expect him to casually spend 4 million on two players. Forget the 7 million he spent last season, making us massive spenders last season.
Living in Sheffield many of my friends consider Forest to be big spenders and yet many of you moan. Reality is Doughty has consistently put money in this club and done a remarkable job. Some of you say "if we had just bought Pratley or Whittingham last January we would have got 90 million from the Premiership."
That is a ridiculously speculative comment as we may not have even got promoted, furthermore do you know any Championship Chairmen who can spend 4 million on two players in a promotion push, totalling 10 million spent on transfers from Championship revenues?......no? Precisely.
We are all frustrated that forest haven¿t signed anyone considering the season we had last year but we are in good hands and if we pay over the odd fee's for players we will then be pigeon holed as a club who can be milked much like Man City (except we don't have that kind of financial wealth.)
I genuinely think the only type of person who seriously criticises Doughty is a typical football fan...uneducated. Thank God our club isn¿t in your hands otherwise we would be in a similar situation to Crystal Palace, Cardiff and others close to Administration.”
by His excuses make, me want to laugh!
Monday, August 23 2010, 11:18PM
“Excuses, excuses. Maybe he is just a very average manager who is in charge of a very average team who belong to a very average club?”
by man_of_red, Nottingham
Monday, August 23 2010, 8:29PM
“redweaver, you miss the point like Tyson on a one-on-one.
The point was that BD isnt a moaner, he wants to improve and is being vocal about it, because this is something tangible that he believes he can make happen. Its like an F1 driver wanting better, faster mechanics.
And yes, his desire grants him the ability to be vocal about it.
But this desire is different from what you speak of. Of course, many males have desired Cameron Diaz or the latest Ferrari - but that is dream land, a fantasy.
What BD is speaking about IS reality- its what is achievable and in touching distance - hence his, and our, frustration.
As a socialist myself, I like the idea of what you suggest - however, football, on the level we speak about it, is a free market, a capitalists haven. The reality of the situation is that ND is ultimately responsible and it is his reddies that need to be invested. I give him lots of credit and I'm not ND bashing - he said we'll sign players and I believe him, I just believe it will be late in the day.
I just dont think its fair to say that BD is moaning. He's a bullish character and I like him all the more for it.”