IT is hardly an insulting comparison but, as the new season develops, Billy Davies is likely to take offence to anyone drawing parallels between Nottingham Forest and Germany.

Joachim Low's side may have been heralded for the efficiency of the 4-2-3-1 formation they utilised in South Africa.

But it is not something that is entirely new to those at the City Ground – or, more accurately, those who follow the Reds away from home.

Germany may have perfected the formation, but they were not the first team to use it.

Last season Forest frequently adopted the approach – or close variations of it – on their travels.

And, if it wasn't a 4-2-3-1 it was a 4-1-4-1 formation with Paul McKenna in the holding role.

At Burnley on Saturday, Forest favoured something closer to the latter approach, albeit with Robert Earnshaw playing in the hole just off target man Dexter Blackstock.

But, prior to that, Forest used the 4-2-3-1 in almost every pre-season outing.

As they prepare for their second outing of the new campaign, at Bradford in the Carling Cup tonight, team selection is likely to be based around who is available, as much as anything.

With five players on international duty and several more carrying injuries, Davies will find himself short of options at Valley Parade.

But, Chris Gunter – who, along with Robert Earnshaw is on international duty with Wales – believes Forest's flexibility can steer them through.

And not just tonight, in the first round of the competition, but when they return to Championship action.

"Formations are changing a little bit in football, as we saw in the World Cup," said the right-back.

"Teams are trying to use formations like that and you can understand it.

"If you have got the players who can do it, why should you use a rigid 4-4-2?

"If we can sharpen it up a little bit, it will be a very good option for us.

"It is always good to be flexible.

"And we do have plenty of players in the middle and the final third of the pitch who can adapt.

"Our strikers, winger and attacking midfielders are all flexible."

Last season, Forest regularly altered their approach fairly drastically, depending on whether they were at home or away.

On home turf, Davies' formula for success was more free-flowing, attack-minded football.

Away – particularly in the first half of the season – they were far more disciplined and set-up to strike on the counter.

And Gunter believes one of Forest's biggest strengths is that flexibility.

"It must be good for the manager to know that, if a game is not going his way, he does have the option to change things," he said.

"The manager knows we can be flexible, that we have attacking players who can change a game."