Davies: There's still work to be done at Forest
BILLY Davies says he is confident Nottingham Forest will escape relegation after securing his first win as Reds boss.
But he admitted: "There is still much work to be done."
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Billy Davies
The Scot's first week in charge culminated with a hard-fought, vital 2-0 success at relegation rivals Charlton, which helped Forest climb to fifth from bottom in the Championship table.
Davies praised his young players for their battling spirit and determination but the manager also admitted the match provided further evidence of the need to add strength in depth to the City Ground squad, to complement their youthful grit.
"I would not be here if I was not confident (of escaping relegation), I can tell you that," said Davies. "But I know there is a big job to be done.
"This is a fantastic three points for us and a good start for us towards doing that.
"We have to sort out the home form, we know that, we have to work hard to add to the squad and create that competition for places.
"We will work very, very hard to do that and make sure it happens.
"Charlton had an awful lot of experience in their side and the one thing we are lacking is experience – which you can see in our play sometimes.
"We look around us and, even with 20 minutes to go, when I looked at the bench, I was thinking we had babies beside us and we had some babies on the pitch.
"That was the difference between Charlton and us, with regard to experience. It is important to compete in this league and have the right balance. It is not just about experience, it is about getting the balance right in the team.
"With 20 minutes to go, they threw on Andy Gray and he is a good target man who we knew would cause us problems.
"It is just getting that balance, that depth of squad. Whether it happens in this window or the next one, we will work hard at Forest to get that balance right, to build a squad that can compete in this division and compete at the top end of the table."
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by Rog, Tupton
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 10:15AM
“Someone will suggest next that Billy is a Psycho and the future would then be assured. Still, now that house prices have fallen, the club could buy him a house at Quarndon and have him drive down the A52 in his Merc every day - in a green top, with a red tie - just to complete the picture.”
by Kerry Hill, Hucknall
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 10:08AM
“Rog, you ARE too pessimistic. Like Gaz Wilkinson in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, BD does seem to have something of a sheep neurosis. He appears to resent the lack of gratitude for what he did for them and the manner in which he was deprived of his chance to go on to further greatness. The son rejected by his mother, he is unwilling to let go. Hence the black and white gear. In his schizophrenia, he totally overlooks the fact that his final undoing was down to his own unacceptable behaviour. Now for the good news! This is an almost identical psychological reaction to that of Brian Clough! Bring on the good times with BD!”
by Rog, Tupton
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 10:06AM
“I see that Billy Davies reaction in the Guardian to the fact that a proportion of Reds fans were against his appointment was to suggest that it was simply sheep stirring it up for him. Could it be that he might be preparing his excuses in advance of failure? ¿Nuthin wrong wi ma managerial abilities, son. The Sheep! The Sheep!¿ It was the Sheep that got me!¿ I hope it never comes to that, Billy, and I will support you, but please show us a sign. A red tie, a red top, a red handkerchief. (Maybe this is my own paranoia and red just aint a favourable colour for a wee hard man from Govan).”
by el miguel, rojales
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 8:05AM
“What, no news this morning?”
by Tricky In London Exile, London
Monday, January 12 2009, 10:18PM
“J.D. fair points. When it comes to the match day though, I am there and fully supportive of the team and the manager. Forums like this - so long as it isn't just abuse - are there I think to allow us to express our views. Mine is that I didn't want BD and that I think that those that run club failed in their duty of care to NFFC in not considering other candidates, particularly given the circumstances NC. I continue to have concerns about the man long term but it won't stop me supporting the team at the game though.”