Forest set to blood young players at Bradford City in Carling Cup tonight
NOTTINGHAM Forest will blood up to five rookie players when they take on Bradford City in the Carling Cup tonight.
Manager Billy Davies wants to test some of the younger members of his squad in case the Reds fail to make any further additions before the transfer window closes.
And, with five players on international duty and several more – including defender Kelvin Wilson and skipper Paul McKenna – fighting injury, their chance will come at Valley Parade tonight.
"We have 18 players available and four or five of those will be young players who will be blooded into the squad," said Davies.
"Nialle Rodney, Kieron Freeman, Karl Darlow, Robbie Gibbons and one or two others will be involved.
"They are not ready yet but we have to get them into a position where they are. They are a long way off but that is what we have got.
"We need to get them ready just in case we do not bring anyone in during the transfer window. We need to get them prepared and ready, in case we have to throw them in.
"It is also a chance for a few fringe players to prove that they should be wearing the Forest jersey more often. I am looking forward to seeing how they handle it."
Davies expects a tough challenge from Bradford but he appreciates the importance of discovering the winning habit, after suffering defeat at Burnley on Saturday.
"The smaller clubs love to cause an upset," he said. "We know what to expect. It will be a difficult match.
"At the start of last season, we won one in eight and people were making a big thing of it. But we should have won more than we did back then, because we were playing well.
"It is very similar now. As a manager you are more concerned when you do not create chances, when you do not see commitment and desire.
"I am disappointed with the result at Burnley, but not the performance. We deserved more. But we will be looking for a win tonight."
61 Comments
View all
by Posh Red, Peterborough
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 11:27PM
“Did I also hear Billy saying in the interview that the bench at Bradford was full of youngsters terrified of being called on to the pitch.
Well, take my advice Billy, sack 'em all and bring lads in that are up for anything.
And by the way, you've not just assumed charge, you're 18 months in, so how come your bench is full of woozies anyway?”
by Robin of Loxley, The Major Oak
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 11:12PM
“Just listened to the Billy interview post match, and he's right as usual, not enough quality, quantity or depth in the squad,, whatever is holding up the transfers needs to be sorted. Another thing Billy quite rightly said the players especially the younger ones get too much to quickly, a thinly veiled dig at McGugan and Anderson and Cohen, who all have the ability and were just to complacent tonight.
As for Tyson, he couldn't hit a barn door at 90 paces, and had the opportunity on both Saturday and tonight to win the match, It's no good holding your head in your hands Tys, get back to basic, this is a ball , that is a goal and you put the ball into the gaol, simple really, thats what your paid to do. McGugan i've lost patience with he strolls around the park giving it the big i am, the really frustrating thing is he has more talent in his little toe than a majority of the prem league players and could be so good , if he's just buck his ideas up and stop looking for the killer pass or wonder goal.
The one bright spark was Thornhill, he just needs a run in the side to build his confidence but he is a good box to box player.
At the end of the day Billy had to bring on McKenna & blackstock, because this team were to complacent, and if they miss Saturdays match & we lose then thats down to them as well”
by Camp Lee, Sherwood
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 10:43PM
“Will we ever win away from home?.
Davies needs to sort this out or make way for someone who can.
We just lack mental strength, there's no way we'll get promotion without it.”
by Percy Broadbent, West Bridgford
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 10:22PM
“It seems that Billy bottled it. 'We will blood up to five rookie players' said he. Not one of them got off the bench, so they are no nearer persuading him that they deserve a chance. It seems as though he is frightened to introduce any of the younger players.”
by GhostMan, West Yorkshire
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 10:13PM
“Well, I've come home as the team are playing AWFUL. Make NO MISTAKE if we play like they were doing when I left we will get STUFFED in this league...
AND...before someone says 'how did you get home while the match was still on'...simple, I live about 30 minutes from Bradford...
Least Direby lost...”
by forestlad, castle boulv
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 9:33PM
“mel you really are a sicko”
by Mel, City
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 8:42PM
“for live streaming of the game try...........
www.squirt.org”
by billy, nffc
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 7:49PM
“any one know of n e live streaming of bradford game please?”
by silly, boy
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 7:40PM
“Waghorn, wont come for fear of upsetting the Festa's”
by that, is sooooooooo funny
Tuesday, August 10 2010, 7:38PM
“Cardiff signing and we arn't”