Forest boss Davies: We rode our luck early on
NEW Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies breezed back into management with a 2-0 victory over Charlton but admitted his young side were fortunate after being outplayed in the opening stages.
"It's a nice start, but we showed our age in the first 20 minutes. Physically it was men against boys," he said.
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Billy Davies
"I'm very pleased with the three points, the commitment and work-rate but to compete at the top end the younger boys have to grow up quickly and we need men alongside them."
The hosts laid siege to the Forest goal for the opening half-an-hour but failed to find the target and were hit by two sucker punches in two minutes before half-time.
First, skipper Mark Hudson only half-cleared Matt Thornhill's cross, Paul Anderson scuffed a deflected shot back towards goal and Nathan Tyson was on hand to prod the ball past Rob Elliot.
Shelvey shot straight at Forest keeper Paul Smith as Charlton went in search of an equaliser – but moments later they found themselves two behind.
Matt Holland misjudged a back-header towards Hudson allowing Rob Earnshaw to nip in behind the defender and lob the exposed Elliot.
Forest were rarely threatened after the break but Davies now wants to add experience to the side he inherited from Colin Calderwood.
"When I looked at the bench with 20 minutes to go I saw a couple of babies next to me," added Davies, who almost took the Charlton job after Alan Curbishley left in 2006.
"My predecessor did a great job in getting this club to where it is now.
"But in my opinion, to compete at the top we have got to look closely at the squad.
"We are not going to dive into the transfer market for the sake of it, but if the right ones come our way and we feel the situation is right for us then we will do something."
Charlton are now seven points from safety following a winless run of 18 games, and Phil Parkinson has yet to taste victory since taking the role on a permanent basis.
Parkinson was unimpressed by his side's wastefulness in front of goal and also scathing of his defence.
"In the first 30 minutes we had numerous chances to take the lead, we didn't take them and then we gifted them two goals," he said.
"If you are a defender playing for us you might say how many chances do our strikers need to put the ball in the net, but any success is built on a resilience at the back and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
"But we will keep on fighting and keep believing."
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by the only good pie, is a meat pie
Sunday, January 11 2009, 8:10PM
“not sure how old he is, but what does anyone think about Graham Kavanagh (or the opposite end of the spectrum, how about a cheeky bid for jonjo Shelvey who ran the game yesterday ?)”
by Dougie, Arnold
Sunday, January 11 2009, 7:06PM
“Jezza, Surely the fact that 'we hardly had a shot on goal' as you put it, indicates that more experience is needed in the squad. As long as the experienced players he signs are the right kind of players and fit in with the rest of the team then what's the problem? CC tried it with Lennon and Cole but it looked to me that their legs had gone so on reflection they were poor choices, but even the great BC made disappointing signings. maybe somone around 30 who's been around a bit and can boost confidence and drive the young uns? Be interesting to hear others choices. YEW REDS!”
by Robin, in his hood
Sunday, January 11 2009, 7:02PM
“jezza,we had two shots,they both found the back of their net, were in a scrap it ain't going to pretty.”
by Jacks Back, Whitechapple
Sunday, January 11 2009, 6:47PM
“Little Raymond,you still up watching tele'?get your rammie pyjamas ready for bed,I want my paper delivered early tomorrow,nite,nite,dont let the bedbugs bite.”
by Ian Hall, London
Sunday, January 11 2009, 6:46PM
“FAO Rob, London: I think you're losing the plot, to be honest. I used to quite like your posts, but that one was plain nasty. See you on the yacht for the next away game (at a ground near a river/sea, obviously). Let me know. Cheers, etc. Up the reds! Down with Clingan!”
by jezza, WB
Sunday, January 11 2009, 6:41PM
“Doubt this winning streak will last long. we got no money and a manager that only signs scottish journeymen. we hardly had a shot on goal yesterday. Maybe BD should think about getting commons back asap.”
by Al, nottm
Sunday, January 11 2009, 6:07PM
“Last 15 games,won6 ,drawn6, Lost3,is it that bad that so called fans are still having a pop?,the last 9 games away I,ve not seen them loose,tell ya what instead of listening to dreary old Radio nottm,go to away matches with your mates,its a different ballgame. If i don't go to a game I don't complain,get my meaning folks.”
by john, Ilkeston
Sunday, January 11 2009, 3:52PM
“just need to turn our awfull home form around now BD.The Donny game being the worst forest perfomance I have ever seen.Any way better things around the corner me thinks.
Might even paddle up theTrent to the game on me dingy”
by Maddog, Mansfield
Sunday, January 11 2009, 2:56PM
“Heart warming to know that there are decent Red Dogs in the big smoke. I actually physically shook laughing at that chant Rob, thanks mate I'll give it a try, but not for the money.”
by Rob London, London
Sunday, January 11 2009, 2:42PM
“I think Billy's been a bit harsh, the likes of Joey Garner have all done well this season proving you don't have to be an old experienced warhorse to compete. When you're over 18 you're a man not a baby. Also with youth comes that fearless approach because they've never experienced it before. Both games this season against Prem teams have arguably their best yet, esp Sunderland, so the boys can do it. W'e don't need a striker we need if anything cover, (maybe someone on loan) for Moussi, also a right back (not been impressed with Chambers this season) and a keeper(hopefully Camp but not sure if Billy's fallen out with him). Also I think I saw that Ian Hall bloke yesterday. A heard a right toff going on about how he'd sailed to game and how he insulted he was to have to catch the bus with 'local' people. I think he should sail his boat down the Trent and join Commons over there. NIce to see Billy thanking the fans at the end. Next game £50 to the person who starts the chant to the tune of BILLY DAVIES RED AND WHITE ARMY, IAN HALL'S A F*CKING TOSSPOT”