Davies says Forest do not need new signings to give them a lift
BILLY Davies today insisted Nottingham Forest do not need new signings to give them a lift following their defeat at Burnley.
But, with the Reds facing a selection crisis ahead of the trip to Bradford in the Carling Cup tomorrow, the Scot admitted his squad is already starting to look thin.
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Billy Davies
Forest have five players away on international duty, while Kelvin Wilson and Paul McKenna picked up ankle injuries at Turf Moor.
After the arrival of left-back Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea, Davies allowed Julian Bennett to join Crystal Palace on loan last Friday.
It will leave Forest to field a young side at Valley Parade tomorrow night.
But, following their display in the Championship opener on Saturday, Davies insists Forest should be confident.
"We don't need a lift," said the Forest boss. "We don't need our spirits to be lifted by the addition of new players.
"We can be lifted by this very positive performance at Burnley because, on any other day, we would have won.
"Kelvin has picked up an ankle injury which will add to our problems.
"We have five players away on international duty. We have Majewski, Bertrand, Gunter, Earnshaw and Moloney all away.
"That does not help and the rules on that do not apply in round one, which is strange.
"The numbers will be down. But it will give our younger players an opportunity."
Davies does admit new signings are still required to add strength in depth.
And Forest have taken a step closer to signing Swansea's Darren Pratley, after the Swans' contract talks with the midfielder stalled. Peter Whittingham, the Cardiff winger, is also still on Forest's radar.
"It is like anything else, it is a marathon, not a sprint and there are several weeks left before the end of the transfer window," said Davies. "We need more depth to get us through.
"But I have every confidence in David Pleat, in the chairman, in Mark Arthur and everyone else to get things done, to get what is required."
And chief executive Arthur confirmed that Forest are making progress.
"Cardiff have said that they want to keep their best squad together," he said. "But we are aware that Whittingham is in the last year of his contract. And I am sure they are not in a financial position where they can afford to let that run down.
"We understand he has rejected a new offer, so we have to be a little bit patient and hopefully we can bring him in.
"If not, we will try to bring him in in January or at the end of the season, because we know he wants to come.
"The Pratley situation is similar, they've offered him a new contract and apparently he has turned it down. Swansea have to make a decision."
Forest target Nicky Shorey has passed a medical with West Brom and is set to move from Aston Villa today.
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by jeff stellins, best buddy
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 6:33AM
“somethings brewing,sky sports news had bill d on and i think hes on his way out,either that or they aint got nowt to report on,but thats strange because the season has just started and thats news?i dont think martin oneill will be the new forest manager though they aint that lucky”
by Forest, Me Wife, Lager, A Block
Monday, August 09 2010, 11:49PM
“Scott Sinclair is a winger so probably not goin to replace Pratley (whom we do not need) I,m not saying he hasn,t got talent but there are more problemed areas of our squad than CM. Up to Bradford tommorow COYR we've got 4000 tickets although I dought 1000 will go. Looking forward to seeing our kid Bertrand score a thirty yard screamer against leeds. Ryan is also probably the best free kick taker in our team so let him ave um, i,ve got complete faith in the lad.
Oh mist rolling in...”
by lord, radford
Monday, August 09 2010, 11:48PM
“irish - you're right - i saw the game - it was a poor ball from earnie that forced him too far wide to gwet a decent attempt - yes, go accross the goalie maybe to force a save, or square it back - but WHAT a move to set it up tho.!! looks promising i reckon - we are notoriously slow starters, ever since i've known anyway.. we'll be reet!!”
by Irish red., Ireland.
Monday, August 09 2010, 10:09PM
“One comment, Tysons chance on Sat. To have scored from there would have been a wonder shot. Ok, he should have hit the target but it was a difficult piece of skill for a dominant left footed player to execute, with the ball moving across his body. It was worth a try and his contact with the ball was almost too good. Decision making.. he should have controlled with his left (defender had committed) and came back on his right,shot or passed. It was not a clear chance with an open goal.”
by The futures bright,, The futures RED
Monday, August 09 2010, 9:33PM
“No, but i do believe What's on Sporting Life.com, and it on there too. There's not just one source of info you know! Never go on 606 to be honest.”
by you really believe, what gets dropped on there?
Monday, August 09 2010, 9:00PM
“"This is on 606 so not sure how true it is."
I read the first part and then stopped when I got to 606.
I cant believe anyone takes anything said on there seriously, its a wum school.”
by The futures bright,, The futures RED
Monday, August 09 2010, 8:53PM
“Scott Sinclair from chelsea just signed a 3 year deal at swansea, Could this be the signal for pratley to move to the mighty reds? Hope so, COYR :-)”
by Accept your past is gone, And the glory days are gone forever.
Monday, August 09 2010, 7:41PM
“O'nell going to forest??
Come on! Why would he go to a team that is 1st division calibre at best??
No harm to forest, but davies is the perfect manager as he has got no talent, he is not a bit bland, and he has no ambition, so him and forest go hand in hand.”
by Seaside Magpie, Blackpool
Monday, August 09 2010, 5:35PM
“He's left Villa so must be going to Forest... you make my side's hurt lol lol lol lol lol lol rofl...”
by U REDS, Nottm
Monday, August 09 2010, 5:28PM
“This is on 606 so not sure how true it is.
I have been told the following facts:
1 - Peter Whittingham (as stated last week) will be joining us imminently.
2 - Mark Arthur was given permission to make a statement to the BBC regarding transfer target(s) to put the Welsh club (CCFC) in an awkward position.
Following a problem with a 'pay as you earn' bill from the first quarter of this year, Cardiff said they had no means of which to pay and so were taken to court by revenues.
Cardiff were given a reasonable amount of time in which to come up with the payment or at least part of it and a plan going forward.
Part of this money was payed by new investors which had to be paid back in full from club revenue ASAP as "they had not invested to pay off debt of a previously mismanaged organisation"
A 'brown bag' payment was made to CCFC involving the 'free' transfer of Joe Ledley which reimbursed the investors outlay for the part payment of said tax bill.
HMRC are still owed a BIG proportion of this debt but the club have stated that their players are not attracting serious bids/amounts which in turn prevents them from having the funds available to pay their bill in full.
HMRC were then given another payment toward the outstanding bill and were handed a business plan which was based upon the transfer embargo being lifted (which HMRC subsequently did)
Peter Whittingham's representatives (in an attempt to push the deal through) told Forest to go public with the news that they have tabled a serious offer, the player wants to come and will not be signing a new deal which makes it common knowledge (through the press) that Forest ARE offering the money to Cardiff that they say is not available to pay HMRC's debt.
The tax bill is set to increase as yet more payments have not been made on time. (set to become public shortly)
That's why the Welsh club are furious because of the tactic that has been employed.
The Darren Pratley saga will rumble on for the foreseeable I'm sorry to say.
QPR have upped their interest which may scupper Forests bid.
Twigg
Do not be suprised if this article is removed in quick time.
anyone else seen this?”