Forest boss Billy Davies: Reds must find a nasty streak
NOTTINGHAM Forest must find a nasty streak if they are to forge a repeat of their Championship promotion challenge, Billy Davies warned.
The Reds boss says his players must learn how to grind out results, after seeing Leeds survive an early barrage to claim a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
Forest dominated for 30 minutes but had only a Dexter Blackstock header to show for their superiority.
And, once Leeds changed their formation to stop the Reds from playing their flowing football, Forest had no answer.
"Our young side have to learn very quickly how to compete in this kind of game," said Davies. "That is part of the learning curve they are on.
"We want to play the Forest way but there comes a time, in certain games against certain clubs, where you have to do things differently. You have to play the football that is required to get yourselves on top.
"We play great football, without a doubt. But we have to learn about the nasty side of things. These young players will learn and get better.
"But we have to be more ruthless and clinical. When we need to, we have to change our mentality and play a different kind of football.
"This is Championship football, not La Liga. You can do it in Spanish football, because that is the way they play. But in the Championship, there will be times when we will not be allowed to get the ball down and play.
"What we have to do then is find a different way. We are talking about grinding out results.
"We have to get back to keeping clean sheets.
"Look at the soft goals we are losing – a clean sheet would have won the game."
Davies says Forest must also learn how to deal with confrontation better, after Chris Gunter become embroiled in an ugly melee late in the game.
"Leeds had stood on Lee Camp, not for the first time in the game," said Davies. "Then Gunter has been stamped on as well – but he reacted naively. He took the bait and allowed himself to get involved.
"Again, this is about learning. We have to learn that off-the-ball incidents will happen."
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by Keith, Murcia, Spain
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 10:23AM
“The team that started against Leeds, probably the best line up have no one pushing them for their places, the three subs made no impression what so ever. A big clearout is needed with players in and out. The subs bench might as well all go, with the exception of maybe Chambers and McGoldrick they are not good enough for the first team. This should have all been done in the close season. Too much is being made of the Whittingham and Pratley saga.Time to move on there are plenty of good players that would welcome a chance to give all for Forest and a place in the Prem league.If Forest don't act soon their season could be over after the first 10 matches. I hope I am wrong but fear I might not be. All we get is talk and no action. Come on Forest.”
by Wozza, Barcelona
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 1:29AM
“Before you get too excited guys - I have some news for you from the Daily Mail.
Middlesborough are set to splash the cash from their sale of keeper Jones on a shock raid for Peter Wittingham-at 2.3 mil. Oh well at least we tried.......(it'll be nice to Boro back in the prem at least)”
by Notts White, Lower Bridgeford 15/8/10
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 12:35AM
“I find your comments amusing :)
I must take you to task on a few things (by way of balance)
1) You bring up The Damned United and call the current Leeds team dirty/cloggers/etc. Football has changed entirely in the last 35/40yrs but clearly not opinions. Its a game played by MEN, just ask Kenny Burns if you seeing hanging around one of the the city ground bars as he usually does. The physical approach will always be an element of the game which if removed will sterilise it and remove a critical part of the game of some of your own 'legends' such as Pearce, Keane and Burns. So just consider your own history and what the game's about before yourself look narrow-minded and hypocritical, eh? However, nice to see your own 'lucky boy' bringing back the nostalgia. Even the most ardent red has got to admit he was lucky to stay on.
2) NEIL - Our keepers have been playing the kick out to the left for over a year now normally to Bradley Johnson for him to play it to Becchio or an onrushing midfielder. It was very effect last season and am still surprised our opposition have not seen it. Led to 10+ goals for us last season :)
3) WARRINGTON RED - I'd like you to elaborate on your statement of why Leeds are a poor side, especially as after admittedly being second best for the 1st 25 mins we got into our stride, scored and had a majority of play % opportunities in the 2nd. I'd be interested on your balanced opinion (though not expecting one :))
4) One thing you are maybe not aware of is our history with your manager. We don't call him 'Job done' Davies for no reason. Friday 5th May 2006 saw us play PNE in the P/O semi 1st leg at Elland Rd. which ended 1-1. In an interview after the game, screened on sky, he said the now immortal quote...."It's a tremendous result for us, we can ask for no more, we've come here, done the job." Well, history shows we won the return leg 2-0 (see www.mightyleeds.co.uk/matches/20060508.htm) so guess it wasn't as straight forward as he'd hoped :) Just feel ever since this that when it comes to us he's got a massive chip on his shoulder. We just think he's an unprofessional t*t and his comments from yesterday contained nothing to dispell my opinion of this. In fact he came across as desperate. I for one can't see him being at the CG by the new year, if you know what's good for you.
5) (and lastly)....was disappointed with Earnshaw & Majewski yesterday, thought their pace would cause our defence problems all day. Can't remember anything apart front Earnshaw hitting the post. One thing everyone has to remember here is that we have 7...yes SEVEN first team players out through injury or suspension so expect making a better game of it in april at ER, I wonder who'll be in your dugout by then????
PS. Glad so many of your lot in the upper bridgeford and clough upper enjoying my 'Notts Whites' flag :)”
by Irish red, Ireland.
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 12:10AM
“The team seemed nervous last Sunday, even after they scored the opening goal.The second half they just got more and more tense.Thats going to be difficult to shake off if results dont go their way, perhaps is a hangover from last season.A sense of calm and relax needs to be instilled in the team.The weight of the world is not on their shoulders.Just go out and enjoy the game.Remember last season when things were going well,smiles on players faces. There was a fizz about the team the play. Right now its pained expressions,puffing out cheeks heads dropped and tentative glances to the bench and to other players.Opposing teams feed of this body language.Leeds did and Forest made Leeds more confident as the game went on. Forest are almost there as regarding their play, they will click again, they will fizz again.. but positivity from all is needed. Supporters,players and management. POSITIVITY.”
by If no-one else is gonna say it, I will
Monday, August 16 2010, 8:47PM
“I've just seen Gunter's little outing on the back of that leeds players foot. Not very impressed. If this is the nasty streak billy refers to, if thats the way we're going then forest should prepare to be hated the way leeds were hated in the 70's. What I saw reminded me of the scenes from The Damned United, only it was'nt a leeds player gouging the eyes of Kevin Keegan, it was Chris Gunter doing something as blatantly disgusting. Chris, dont do that again, thats not you and thats not what I want to be seeing from forest players in the future. We can hardly hold any moral high ground over people like Non League and Lilly when we do stuff like that on national, no global television. Not happy.”
by Seaside Magpie, Blackpool
Monday, August 16 2010, 8:24PM
“Nice to see the fans getting behind their club, its been a few years since I left Nottingham but I would like to thank you guys for bringing back happy some memories of my old Reds mates... all thatl moaning.. try being a County fan and then see what you have to moan about.”
by Steve, Sunny Swad
Monday, August 16 2010, 8:00PM
“Did anyone else see Wes in the crowd at. United”
by Mine's A Pint, THE City Ground
Monday, August 16 2010, 7:59PM
“If we do get relegated (highly unlikly) I would definetly renew my season ticket but tbh wouldn't bother with away membership (unless the filth of the east midlands were also relegated).
I swear i just sure wes morgan sitting in the away end at old trafford.
Come on perchy injure that w*nker evans.”
by Paul Robson, Wellingborough
Monday, August 16 2010, 7:43PM
“If we fail this season due to the inactivity of the AP and board and the worst happens and we get relegated, I will not only not renew my season ticket but I will never go back to the city ground again while the club is in the hands of Nigel Doughty”
by It is the Paul Hart era all over again, We wont make promotion.
Monday, August 16 2010, 7:16PM
“Blackpool are doing well already Steve, did you see how well Marlon was playing?
Just think that could of been us in the prem with Marlon still in the Glorious Garabaldi.
I will bet 100 quid if we don't sign any new faces or star quality like Prately then we won't get promoted this year.”