Davies warning for Earnshaw
BILLY Davies today sang the praises of hat-trick hero Robert Earnshaw – but warned he still faces a fight to hold onto his place in the Nottingham Forest side.
The Welsh international's goals helped the Reds romp to a 5-1 success over East Midlands rivals Leicester City on Saturday.
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The Reds boss revealed that the talismanic player's performance was catalysed by additional fitness work he has been putting him – and some of his team mates – through in training.
But, while Davies was delighted with Earnshaw's display, he said that he will continue to rotate the club's six front-line strikers in matches.
"Earnie is one of six very good strikers we have here at Forest," said Davies. "And he will not start every game. He will play when we feel it is right.
"We have worked hard on his fitness, as we have right through the side.
"There are many others I could name who are getting dragged out at 8am to go on bike rides and things like that.
"There are many sessions that we are now working on with individuals.
"That is also what happens when you build a squad, you get a response from players.
"That is what we have seen from Earnie, we have seen a response. He has got himself fitter, he has dropped his body fat levels and his weight levels, because he realises that there is competition there.
"There were one or two players whose body fat had gone up a little, which I was not happy about.
"Not just Earnie, but one or two others as well. We have just had to adjust training a little bit and get into one or two heads."
Earnshaw's goals were all precise, instinctive finishes.
"It doesn't surprise me to see that, because that is what he is all about," said Davies. "But it is the other parts of his game that we now need to work on with Earnie.
"We have got to keep working on players' fitness, we have to make sure we do not ask too much of them by asking them to play too many games in a short space of time.
"That is why we have a squad here. When Earnie is on his game, when his weight is right and his body fat is right and when he plays with the energy that he did on Saturday, that is when you see Robert Earnshaw at his best."
Davies also insists that frequent rumours of a fall out with Earnshaw, who he also managed at Derby County are totally untrue – and warned any interested clubs that he has no intention of selling the player in January.
Both Newcastle and Middlesbrough were said to be interested in Earnshaw back in August.
Former Forest boss Colin Calderwood – now assistant manager with Newcastle – has been to watch him.
"He is a great asset and there is no talk of him leaving. I do not want him to leave," said Davies.
"I have not fallen out with him. But, like the rest of the players, he needs to work hard, to get himself fit and realise that there is this high level of competition.
"I have never had a cross word with Earnie, we have never fallen out. People created a monster when, clearly, my time at Derby was up and they were trying to manage the exit of the manager.
"I do not want to see Earnie go anywhere. We need six strikers to move this club forwards and the recommendation I have made to the board is certainly not to sell any strikers."
Davies also said that he would not clamp down on Earnshaw's trademark forward-flip goal celebration.
"I am not going to start telling people how to celebrate goals. But if he gets injured, he will get fined.
"As long as Earnie is scoring goals, is doing his somersaults and is staying injury free, then I am perfectly happy. And he will not be picking up any fines."
62 Comments
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by richard, canada
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 3:06AM
“Wow, you lot know as much about Canada as you do about football, well done. I assume you are all still watching Monty python along with the grainy vhs videos of lost times in europe. As I see still the same intelligent comments from the Red side.
Ringtone- thanks for clearing up the confusion about your age, but as you can agree an easy mistake to make based on your comments. I do agree though two Notts teams in the prem would be good, then we get the chance to celebrate something other than Charlie Palmer Day.”
by REDROOSTER, farnsfield
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 12:03AM
“REDROOSTER BORED ON NIGHTSHIFT;maddog nice python ref hehe. richard[his names richard but his boyfriend prefers dick]heee wums all night and he wums all day he hangs around on boards' mandy we love yer passion.put yer hand out the window and catch this kiss i.m blowing from nearby farnie”
by mandy, southwell
Monday, December 07 2009, 11:07PM
“Anon,England
That is the point I have been trying to make for weeks.We live in a free society and therefore are able to comment on any site.It just seems that County fans feel we shouldnt go on there sites but its ok to come on Forest articles..
I never make a personal comment about any County fan ,I may sometimes be a bit to cheeky about their attendances or players but its all meant in good humour .Today the unprovoked attack on myself went beyond the realms of decent banter.Lets hope the NEP do something about the people who clone others and the people who make spiteful,mlicious personal attacks and then we can get back to thos being a footballing site”
by anonn, England
Monday, December 07 2009, 10:57PM
“Just to put the record straight this is not a Forest site like its not a Notts County site it is an EDP open forum site for people to post there views and speak there mind but we should all keep the banter clean its ment to be funny, serious etc etc, so let both sets of fans behave like human beings and not moronic morons.”
by Maddog, Mansfield
Monday, December 07 2009, 10:03PM
“Nice one Hulk. That's me entertained for the night. I can go to bed now, school in the morning. (Think my beard might look a bit out of place though). As for Richard, 'he wished he'd been a girlie, just like his dear papa'.
Definitely circus.”
by Hulk, Nottingham
Monday, December 07 2009, 9:46PM
“Leicesterboy, Leicesterboy where have you gone,
Vanished after your team got thrashed 5-1,
You've normally got such a lot to say,
So what did you think of it Saturday ?
Completely outclassed from start to end,
And not much noise from the Bridgford End,
Which of Earnie's goals did you think was best ?
Were you suitably impressed,
By the best team round here by a country mile,
And did you leave the City Ground with a beaming smile ?
Well I did matey and I thought of you,
Humiliation, embarrassment, ashamed to be wearing blue,
The Foxes run ragged by the Tricky Trees,
The crisp eaters brought to their knees,
But don't despair there's always hope,
But Bob's outta town so if you can't cope,
And you need to speak to a Samaritan,
The number's 515151.
HAHAHAHAHA YOUUU REDDDS!”
by Ringtone, Nottingham
Monday, December 07 2009, 9:19PM
“Richard, I find you very arrogant and indeed patronising. I am over 50 years old and been a Forest fan for about 48 of those years so, no, don't have to go to school tomorow thanks. Perhaps you ought to though, learn to spell quiet perhaps, or is that the Canadian way? Quite.”
by Trent End Tone, Lower Trent End
Monday, December 07 2009, 9:11PM
“ooooo what a biach that Mountie fellow is... isnt he just the biz, so witty, so loyal, so debonair ( did I spell it rite ) soooo much a T@@ser. Anyway Mountie Maggie dont forget to LISTEN in to your next magpie commentry you true supporter you. LOL”
by richard, canada
Monday, December 07 2009, 9:08PM
“"not so clever there"
But it took one of your fellow fans to realise, not so clever dear!!”
by richard, canada
Monday, December 07 2009, 9:06PM
“Like I said,
If you actually read my comments, I think you will realise That I have said nothing disrespectful about your club, and I have not made any reference, to the new found wealth my team have, so therefore I am not being arrogant. Just passing on an opinion, and responding to some very childish comments from so called fans of football. So does anyone have anything intelligent to say, or do you all have to go to bed, ready for school in the morning?”