Reds boss Davies seeking a change in fortune against Norwich
SAT in the departure lounge at Glasgow airport yesterday morning, you can imagine Billy Davies was a frustrated man.
Having seen his flight to Nottingham cancelled, the Scotsman must have begun to consider what he had done to deserve the ill-fortune that has marred Nottingham Forest's start to the season.
Given the global furore that has surrounded a woman simply dumping a cat in a bin, it is unlikely that Davies has been kicking any black felines.
But, having seen his side create enough chances to have won all four of their games so far this season – but claim victory in none – Davies is, in fact, surprisingly upbeat.
At Reading last weekend, Forest were thwarted by a remarkable performance from keeper Adam Federici, who made breathtaking saves to deny Robert Earnshaw and Paul Anderson – before marring an otherwise brilliant afternoon with a mistake to gift Earnshaw an equaliser.
And, when Norwich arrive at the City Ground, Davies will be hoping their No.1 John Ruddy does not perform the same kind of acrobatics.
"That is right, we don't want to come up against another performance like that," said Davies.
"But every test in the Championship is a tough one.
"Over the last few games we have felt very positive. We have had some very difficult away matches.
"But the positive thing is that we know how well we have played and we have seen the positive reaction that our fans have given us at Reading and Burnley, because of our performances.
"We are now undefeated in two matches and we want to make that three tomorrow.
"It would be good if we could get that win before the international break, obviously."
Davies expects a tough challenge against Paul Lambert's side, who have made a strong start to the campaign with back-to-back wins over Scunthorpe and Swansea in the Championship, following an opening-day defeat by Watford.
"I always say that every game is difficult and we will give Norwich every respect," said Davies.
"But, as long as we can produce the same level of form, we have seen in recent weeks, I have absolutely no doubt that the first win is just around the corner.
"It is coming on the horizon, if we can continue to play to the same levels. That is the key."
Forest's one major injury doubt is over skipper Paul McKenna, who has a hamstring problem.
The Reds missed his experience at the Madejski Stadium and he could be fit enough to be risked tomorrow.
But Davies says it might be a gamble to include him – one that Forest might not take.
"Paul is making good progress, but the question is whether we risk him or not," he said.
"We have an international break coming up and, if we do play him, there is a chance we could lose him for five or six weeks.
"If we leave him out this weekend, we would almost certainly have Paul fully fit again, by the time we play again.
"It is a difficult one. We need to be very careful."
The other decision Davies must make is whether to give Brendan Moloney a chance at right back – or stick with Luke Chambers.
And Davies hints that Chambers will continue to get the nod.
"Brendan's match fitness is still not where we would like it to be and I am sure he would be the first to admit that," said Davies. "He still needs a couple of games.
"I did think about putting him into the side last weekend, which is why I took him off early in the reserve game at Sheffield United.
"I did consider him but he still needs a few games and some match practice.
"If he keeps working at that, we will look at that again."
There had been speculation in the summer that Moloney might return to Notts County for a second loan spell.
While there had also been interest in keeper Paul Smith, who has been on trial with West Ham.
"I don't know if there has been any further interest in either of them," said Davies.
"There has been no contact through me and there has been no calls from anyone at the club to suggest there has been any interest.
"At this moment in time that is all I can tell you."
With Kelvin Wilson also the subject of continued interest from Glasgow Celtic, Davies says players are at risk of being unsettled until the window closes on Tuesday.
"I have said this often – there is no doubt that, until the window closes, you can't expect people to be fully focussed," he said.
"Up until that happens there will be all sorts of speculation and possibilities. That is why there is disruption at so many clubs, because of that.
"We just have to wait and see.
"You can never be surprised at anything in football, as you well know."
In the meantime, presuming Davies rescheduled flight was not cancelled late last night, the Forest manager will be hoping to be shocked by one thing – that being a little extra good fortune.
17 Comments
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by Red4Ever, over here
Friday, August 27 2010, 3:10PM
“Unmoaner, when are you going to stop saying we have got the same players who got us to 3rd last season. Perch PLAYED, Garner PLAYED, Smith PLAYED, Shorey PLAYED, they are all gone, therefore these are NOT the same players that got us to 3rd last season are they? We have replaced Shorey, {one loan for another but not as good IMHO} but we have NOT strengthened the squad, we have weakened it and thats not going foreward is it???”
by Unmoaner, Moan City
Friday, August 27 2010, 1:04PM
“LOL. At least i made points, and didn't moan for 4 "paragraphs" about someone else not making a point. You typed as much as me tbh, and i don't think you even realise what a paragraph is.
The point i was making is EXACTLY what Gary saw and understood. We have only "Technically" made a signing, we haven't got anyone on a perm contract. Yet everyone goes on about Cardiff's signings, but their signings are only loans also, they got some better players yes, but they are still loan players and not signings. I don't think your even allowed more than a couple long term loans anyway, unless the rule changed since my copy of Football Manager 2009 :D
Your point Gary about no quality and quantity etc coming from BD. Well i disagree about best manager since BC, that has to be Frank Clark, who took us up and then next season finished 3rd in the Prem and got us to the UEFA quaters, which at the time was us getting the furthest out of all english clubs in all euro comps. Anyway, why can't our manager have faith in players that got 3rd last season. He's unsettling them himself. Yeah i'll be gutted to if we don't get players in by the deadline, but i'm not going to support forest any less as a result. BD needs to support our club and have the same passion as it's fans do.
Support isn't slating the team, management and players every chance you get, it's supporting them through the good and bad times. Good players don't stop being good because there's no one coming to the club, they stop being good when confidence is drained from them, all they need is the managers confidence in them, and BD isn't giving it”
by Pie An A Pint, The Infamous A Block
Friday, August 27 2010, 12:44PM
“Gary Hougham good points, I don,t like to say it but we are NOT good enough to get automatic-promotion and we all know how our play-offs end. Our team are good when they play together for the WHOLE game. Not just twenty minutes, There's still enough time to get the players in but I don,t have any faith in the nottingham forest board.
PR is disgraceful all we ever here is billy moaning about our players nothing from the top. We don't expect you to name any players (like that tw*t marthur did) but just let us know if your trying, and maybe what poistions. After all we follow the team up and down the country and spend around a thousand a year on forest, we deserve some info. FTID”
by CHAZ, looking over the wall of dissapointment.
Friday, August 27 2010, 12:19PM
“WOT! STILL NO SIGNINGS?!
Oh well there's still 3 days left of the transfer window.
However signing look about as likely as anyone seeing my feet!”
by Another nothing post, from unMOANER
Friday, August 27 2010, 11:49AM
“4 paragraphs, unmoaner. 4 paragraphs and you've not really said anything worth typing or reading. You've yet again, droned on about other peoples opinions for 4 paragraphs.
Unmoaner my r se. You moan more than anyone else on here. At least the other moaners are moaning about forest because they care. They might be a bit misled, but they are showing they care about not being mediocre. You just moan about other people moaning, thats why I dont respect you.
From all these other moaners, the one thing I sense is passion. Whener you moan, its just.....
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
by Gary, Hougham
Friday, August 27 2010, 11:08AM
“Un Moaner,
Whilst I accept your arguments and sentiment about being positive, I cannot agree with you on this occasion.
Technically the only permanent signing in the close season has been Raddy; which I believe will prove to be a good one. We still haven't signed a permanent left back and as we all know, we only have Bertrand short term until January. So actually Forest have just postponed the left back problem, not solved it.
This transfer window thus far has been a complete and utter unmitigated disaster.
1. Mark Arthur criticised by other club chairman and accused of tapping up after what can only be described as a PR nightmare. He was then forced into a grovelling apology which only made both himself and Forest look at best unprofessional & at worst stupid.
2. Not a single one of Billy's requested targets acquired (yet!, We still have 3 days - but hell might freeze over too).
3. Perch (albeit for good money) & Smith gone & not replaced with permanent signings.
4. The squad only being bolstered by the return of on loan youngsters that weren't good enough last year and probably still not good enough this year either.
5. All our rivals for promotion have strengthened their squads.
6. Our squad is too small and lacks strength in both quantity and quality as frequently stated by the best manager we've had at Forest since Brian Clough.
Having a moan or venting your frustrations is what football forums are all about. Whilst some on here are always negative, the balance can always be regained by the odd positive comment. I refer you to your own comments, Mandy's or even occasionally my own!
Now I'm looking forward tom our first win of the season tomorrow,
YOU REDS!”
by PAUL, Carlton
Friday, August 27 2010, 10:52AM
“i was sat next to Billy at the airport and he told me ..
sorry total lie but not as stupid as some of the comments on here”
by PAUL, Carlton
Friday, August 27 2010, 10:44AM
“what was he doing in Glasgow ?
I throught he was our manager and therefore he should be here with our players”
by Pie An A Pint, The Infamous A Block
Friday, August 27 2010, 10:20AM
“BILLY DAVIES IS A RED,
IS A RED IS A RED,
BILLY DAVIES IS A RED,
IS A RED, IS A RED,
HE HATES MARTHUR!!!!
MARK ARTHUR WHAT A W*NKER WHAT A W*NKER!
MARK ARTHUR WHAT A W*NKER WHAT A W*NKER!
BILLY DAVIES IS A FOOTBALL GENIUS!
MARK ARTHUR'S A F*CKING IDIOT!
BILLY DAVIES IS A FOOTBALL GENIUS!
MARK ARTHUR'S A F*CKING IDIOT!
DOWN THE AGES BEFORE US, BACK THROUGH HISTORY,
WE ALL FOLLOW THE FOREST ONTO VICTORY,
LALALALALA,
WE HATE DAVID PLEAT,
WE HATE THE AP TOO, THERE ****!
WE HATE MARK ARTHUR!
BUT FOREST WE LOVE YOU!
Any better suggestions?”
by Paul, Sheffield
Friday, August 27 2010, 9:52AM
“I wonder who sat next to Billy at the airport this week? Hopefully somebody who will ''reveal the truth''.”