Davies urges Forest players to remember lessons taught by Premier League official
BILLY Davies today appealed to Nottingham Forest's players to remember the lessons taught them by experienced former Premier League referee Alan Whiley – and not fall into the same trap as Chris Gunter.
The defender continues to sit out a three-match ban after falling foul of new rules that allowed him to be punished after the clash with Leeds at the City Ground.
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Three- match ban: Chris Gunter reacted to provocation from Leeds' Sanchez Watt.
Welsh international Gunter reacted to provocation from Leeds' Sanchez Watt and has subsequently suffered the frustration of enduring a spell on the sidelines.
Davies has refused to criticise Gunter too harshly, insisting the 20-year-old was just acting through the naivety of youth.
But he hopes the rest of the team will remember what they were told by former top-flight official Whiley, who was brought to the City Ground over the summer to lecture the players on the changes to rules and regulations this season.
"The loss of Chris Gunter for us is massive," said Davies.
"But the players do not need to look at Chris's situation and learn from it – they should know already because they were told in the summer.
"They were told how they should react and behave.
"In pre-season, I invited Alan Whiley along to discuss every single change of laws and rules in the game and also to discuss mass confrontation and what you can and cannot do.
"I had a meeting with all the squad and staff with Alan where we watched a video, listened to him and all his experience and tried to do all we can to prepare correctly for these situations.
"But, when you are 20 years old and still have a lot to learn, you are going to make mistakes."
Davies believes Gunter will grow from the experience and hopes that other players will think more carefully about their reactions in the future.
"As I said, this was a big learning curve for him, because his reaction was naive," said Davies.
"But all we can do is try to prepare players in the right way. Alan Whiley was top class in what he said, but Chris fell into a trap by responding to provocation.
"But we have young players and they will show a little naivety, which has to be expected."
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by melgarion, London, Ont, Canada
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:59PM
“You seem to (pretend to) know a lot about the inside workings of NFFC Old Jom. What's your source exactly?”
by mandy74, southwell
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:32PM
“To the person who answered me earlier but didnt put a name to their comment..what I was trying to say is that ND isnt ever likely to get his money back unless one of the 3 possibilties ever happened.And he cannot just gift the money to Forest ,he has to apply a "commercial " rate of interest .He could as Abramovich did with the 700 million he loaned Chelsea and convert the loans into equity which means Chelsea no longer owe him 700 million.
All I know is I would much rather be in debt to a man who genuinely loves the club than some faceless overseas consortium (aka munto finance ) despite his faults.And I am far from brainwashed just a realist that there is no knight in shining armour going to rush forth and take us over(even if ND wanted to sell ).
Lets just hope that the fans on Saturday get behind the players !!”
by lee dryden, nottingham
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:09PM
“Come saturday marthur will feel so small he will have to buy his clothes from mother care, also thanks billy for last season, but i think you should now hand the part time job over to phil brown,then in 18 months time we may have another ego has a manager.......”
by Old Jom, Tashville
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:47PM
“The reason Forest didnt sign anyone is down to Billy not Doughty, not Arthur, Not Pleat, DAVIES. He turned down SIX players AND told David Healey that he wouldnt get much game time at Forest. The bloke need the sack NOW”
by Doughty Out, Nottingham
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:44PM
“Biggest spenders in League 1, just look who we were competing against,bournemouth,tranmere,cheltenham ect.
Biggest spenders in CCC, it looked like the club spent a lot but don't forget all the transfer windows when the club did nothing.
also one or two moved on so doughty got a chunk of money back.
truth is Forest are a big club in this league and are probably top when it comes to gate receipts and merchandise sales,sponsorship deals and any other income, they certainly take a good chunk of money during a season.
all i see is the facts:
FOREST HAVE NOT MOVED FORWARD IN THE LAST 11 YEARS UNDER DOUGHTY !
FOREST ARE WORSE OFF FINANCIALLY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO PROGRESS ON THE PITCH !
1999/2000 2ND DIVISION 14TH
2000/2001 2ND DIVISION 11TH
2001/2002 2ND DIVISION 16TH
2002/2003 2ND DIVISION 6TH
2003/2004 2ND DIVISION 14TH
2004/2005 2ND DIVISION 23RD (R)
2005/2006 3RD DIVISION 7TH
2006/2007 3RD DIVISION 4TH
2007/2008 3RD DIVISION 2ND (P)
2008/2009 2ND DIVISION 19TH
2009/2010 2ND DIVISION 3RD
2010/2011 2ND DIVISION 19TH (Current position)
NOT VERY IMPRESSIVE I'D SAY !
DOUGHTY OUT !”