Signings will dictate whether Reds' 'Championship title favourites' tag is right
BILLY Davies today insisted what Nottingham Forest achieve in the transfer market over the next few weeks will decide whether they deserve their reputation as Championship title favourites.
The Reds boss warned that his squad over-achieved with their third-place finish last season.
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Billy Davies
And he said that there remain large gaps in the squad that need to be filled before they can consider themselves promotion contenders.
"We have a lot of work to do still, because I said last season that we had three or four pieces of the jigsaw puzzle missing," said Davies.
"And we are still a few pieces missing if we want to move on to the next level.
"We are a team that finished third in the table. Now we want to propel ourselves onwards from that position.
"If we want to do that, then there is a necessary level of planning and investment required.
"With McGoldrick and Adebola now injured and James Perch having left, then we are in a weaker position.
"Over the next couple of weeks, we have to get back to that level and then move beyond it, if we are to progress.
"We over-achieved last season and we find ourselves with a weaker squad this season. We have to see who comes and who goes before we can really judge what level we are at. Time will tell on the question of whether we should be regarded as favourites."
Davies says Forest must earn the right to play a part in the promotion race again.
"We were a surprise package last season and a top-12 finish would have been a fantastic achievement with the squad that we had," he said. "We start the new season off now. Every expert can talk up anyone they like, but the Championship will again be a very tough division.
"Middlesbrough jump out at you as contenders, with the investment they have made. They will be very strong.
"There will be a number of clubs – including the Premiership clubs coming down – who will challenge.
"It is another tough season. I am not buying into anyone being the favourites at this stage.
"We will go in there and do the best job we can."
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by Huey the Noose, HMP Peterborough
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:43AM
“Just watched a couple of programs on bbc2 tonight about Cloughie. Sometimes you can forget just what a legend he was. Brought tears to my eyes.Even when they showed him at Direby!
Any thoughts on a tribute to Peter Taylor at the CG.”
by archie, Doncaster
Sunday, July 18 2010, 10:49PM
“forest wont get pratley shorey or whittingham so get players who want forest in there heart cos these sdeem fat wage cats”
by chris, derby
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:00PM
“Grow up T u silly little boy. And the numerous other names you use. Derby fand no doubt come on here to see just how sad you are, and lets face it, you are doing a great job!”
by Posh Red, Peterborough
Sunday, July 18 2010, 6:02PM
“It would be a pretty boring pre-season if arrogant, patronising Kenttree had his way.
We should not voice speculation, moan or criticise. we should not insult the owner, we should not display frustration or voice inane drivel.
Basically, we should all have faith and listen to him.
The man is not even sure if our views are negative or over enthusiastic. Actually those are totally opposed views so if he can't even differentiate between them, it renders his arguments pointless.
It appears that all he's really sure about is his ability to write acres of condescending verbal garbage.
He is also adept at insulting all the passionate fans who enjoy expressing their feelings but but don't match his views.
Who the hell does he think he is? I think he's a condescending non-entity.”
by Kenttree, Lancashire
Sunday, July 18 2010, 1:21PM
“Okay, I've heard an awful lot of moaning on here and it's ridiculous - almost as ridiculous as the speculative comments about Shorey, Whittingham and Pratley being 'done deals'. Both are based entirely on speculation as there's no real news to impart and we're getting desperate.
Just cool down, everyone; our negativity - or over-enthusiasm for deals that for all we know are not even being mooted at the club - are doing absolutely no good.
We should be competitive at the top of the table if we hold the squad we have together - think about it, Bennett, Moloney and Thornhill back (no-one's been loaned out yet) means we've actually got a bigger first team squad than before. We have the two players out - yeah, what a loss they will be! Dele and McGoaldrought not being available means that we're more likely to play Earnie in away games and Garner and Tyson may get more chances of playing in their preferred positions.
There is an obvious issue with the left side as we lack a fully-fit left-back and genuine left-winger but there will be players coming in, of that we can be sure.
To those fools who criticise Doughty, just remember that he has pumped a lot of his cash into the club and could recall it when he leaves. He is not mega-rich by football owners' standards and there isn't going to be a great rush to buy the club if he goes.
The fact is that we're a second tier club looking to regain a place at the top table when we've been out of it for a long time. We cannot attract the top names and the more that we get ourselves into a state over the possibles not coming, the worse we will all feel. Stop getting frustrated; few people have been bought in this division (Middlesbrough are the only real spenders yet) and although it'd be great to get people bedded in before the season starts, realistically no-one wants to come until they've looked at all their options. Even Cardiff, who are desperate for the cash, are not letting Whittingham go for less than their valuation. We can't waste money on one-season-wonders, we have to be prudent with the cash. Look at what we got last season at bargain prices - there was method in the holding-on. If we start the new season with no new signings and the teams around us snapped up our genuine targets for the prices we should have paid, THEN complain. Until that time, just be patient and stop this inane drivel.
Similarly don't criticise our players being talked about as moving to other clubs - we are a selling club whe the bigger fish come sniffing round and we will probably always be. If a club like Celtic or Bolton come in for our players and offer big money, triple wages etc is it any wonder that they'd consider the move? Wouldn't you be tempted to move to a bigger employer if they were offering a promotion and massive pay rise? Would you be angry if your current employer told you you were going nowhere? If not, then think about how you are probably the sort of person who is demanding we buy Pratley and Whittingham even though their current clubs are not wanting rid of them. 'Offer big money and big wages and they'll have to take notice of us.' Exactly, that's what Celtic and Bolton may be thinking regarding Wilson and Cohen. We cannot have it both ways, unfortunately
We have no idea what's going on around the board room and are only jumping on the speculation that is probably all a smokescreen anyway. Have faith, guys - support the lads and only criticise when things go wrong as we gain nothing through this negativity when we actually know nothing.”