Proud Davies insists Forest will turn things around
BILLY Davies today insisted he was proud of his injury-ravaged Nottingham Forest squad and pledged: "We will turn things around this season."
The Reds suffered a painful 3-2 defeat at the hands of East Midlands rivals Derby County, ending their dreams of an FA Cup fifth round clash with Manchester United.
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Forest's Garath McCleary after missing a late chance
But, with 11 players injured, suspended or Cup-tied, Davies said that Forest could be encouraged by their performance and the character and determination they showed, despite seeing the Rams claw their way back from 2-0 down.
The manager conceded that the match was another clear indication of the need for new signings.
But he said he will continue to work with the current squad to make sure they continue their climb away from Championship trouble.
"We are a club that is crying out for a bigger, deeper squad, no doubt," he said. "But you work with what you have to work with and, as I have said before, I have no complaints.
"I will continue to work very hard with these players. I have told them to be proud of what they have done. It was a fantastic game and they competed well.
"My message to the players was clear – be very proud of what you have achieved in the sense of what you were competing against.
"They were against a side not long out of the Premier League, a side that has spent parachute payments to assemble a massive squad and a side that – when we are throwing on the likes of Mark Byrne and Joe Heath and putting Wes Morgan up front as a striker – have a big bench to chose from.
"We also lost James Perch, our captain, which was a massive blow. These are not excuses, merely facts.
"We had central defenders at full back and, by the end, central defenders playing centre forward. We are doing what we can to get results.
"I came here because I looked at the big picture. Not so long ago, when I took over at Derby, we had a very similar situation, in terms of where that club was and where Forest are now.
"I know what is going on at this football club, where we are – and it will take us time to build it up.
"This season is all about stability, we know that. We will start our major surgery in the summer time.
"I came here knowing the challenge ahead and I will thoroughly enjoy turning Nottingham Forest around.
"The signs were there four weeks ago. We are where we are.
"We are a club that has come from the lower divisions and found ourselves in the Championship."
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by Stacey, Pinxton
Friday, February 06 2009, 11:17AM
“1. There has been a helpline for all Forest fans after the other night, Was there a game on or something?
The number to ring is 2 nil, 2 one, 2 two, 2 three
Ask for Kris or Robbie - they may be able to assist!
2. Forest are trying to sign some new players, David Blunkett is on there most wanted, the chap may be blind, but at least he can hold onto a lead!!
Meeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr¿¿.”
by Joe Baker, Zigger Zagger
Friday, February 06 2009, 7:55AM
“Eddie, derby, you ludite, have you never heard of internet radio? so long as the station broadcasts you can get any station from anyhwere in the world, but there again, you've only just discovered the wheel in that small town called Direby”
by Womble, California, USA
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:10PM
“:) It's only 3:10pm here.........
It actually rained today......
Goodnight everybody ;)”
by Phil, Derby
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:05PM
“Wilko,you do have a point especially on Claude Davies he was a shambles
Anyway way past my bed time and the mrs is calling me.Every man has to do his duty. Night night”
by Womble, California, USA
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:02PM
“You are also LETTING YOUR BEST PLAYERS GO! ;) or did you forget. Why did they not keep him AND buy the 2 new players? Huh, Huh, Huh
That would be building a team to me.........:)
I got the info from Radio Derby website, thank you
Just like this one "DERBY County's owners want to clear £10m more of the club's £25m debt by this time next year to leave the Rams with just the mortgage on Pride Park left to pay."”
by tim, womble is chad
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:02PM
“GOODNIGHT GOD BLESS”
by Womble, California, USA
Thursday, February 05 2009, 10:57PM
“TIM - I meant acheived anything of great note.......moving up a couple of park leagues and losing in the FA Cup is not much to show for 10 years, is it ;) They should be in the Premiership by now if he had so much experience :)
Look at Brian Clough, within 10 years of starting out in management he was winning European Cups at Forest......
Ask the Liverpool fans what they thought of the boy Cloughs playing hehehehhehe”
by Eddie, derby
Thursday, February 05 2009, 10:57PM
“Womble you do well to get Radio Derby in America or are you really chad in disguise you never answered the question WHY ARE WE STILL SPENDING”
by eddie, derby
Thursday, February 05 2009, 10:52PM
“Womble whats up with you have we it a nerve you usually come back with something”
by Womble, California, USA
Thursday, February 05 2009, 10:49PM
“Chairman won't comment on club debt
"Derby County Chairman John Sleightholme has refused to comment on the extent of Derby County's debt. He's been talking to BBC Radio Derby's Colin Gibson" AND When asked about press speculation that Derby County's debts could be close to £40 million, the chairman said: "I'm not going to discuss these matters. As far as I'm concerned we have said each year we will discuss such matters when we produce the accounts as we think that's the proper time.
BOTH from BBC Dierby ...... Irest my case ;)”