BILLY Davies today admitted the pressure is on for him to make Nottingham Forest flourish this season.

But he believes he is close to putting together the formula for success – and says his players need only the memory of their relegation fight as motivation.

Davies knows that instant results are required to ensure a manager's job security.

But he says he will thrive on the pressure – and joked his biggest problem will come if he actually manages to steer the Reds into the Premiership.

Davies found himself ushered out of the exit at Pride Park after guiding Derby County into the top fight in his first season in charge and subsequently seeing the side struggling against relegation.

"The motivation comes from the position we finished in last season, which was not good enough," he said. "The players realised we have to improve on that.

"From a manager's point of view – and I say this with my tongue very firmly within my cheek – the last thing we want to do is win promotion. You end up losing your job if you get promoted too early!

"So, from that point of view, a wise head is required because I would like to stay in this job for a couple more years yet.

"Promotion is not on the agenda. We just want to improve on last season – that is our first priority."

Davies says he expects criticism if Forest do not start the campaign positively.

"It used to take us two or three years to properly build a side – now, after two or three games, the websites get busy, the radio phone-ins get busy," he said.

"The pressure is on you from the off. There is no hiding place as a manager, there are so many people to please, so many things you have to control.

"That is the situation, it is the job I love very much – I have a great group of staff behind me; a great group of players. And, as I said, you accept that, because it is the situation.

"But we still have work to do. There are still one or two gaps that we need to fill."