Forest's Moloney can prosper under Davies

HIS sudden recall to Nottingham Forest came as a massive shock to Brendan Moloney at the back end of November.

The young full-back was quietly going about his business on loan at Rushden and Diamonds in the Blue Square Premier when he was thrust into Championship action against Barnsley.

It was a high-pressure match and a 1-0 Forest win gave Reds boss Colin Calderwood a stay of execution.

His tenure as manager has now ended, but for Moloney the future is looking good.

Since that day he has been part of the first team squad and has made substitute appearances under Billy Davies.

The new boss has limited options, with no new faces joining during last month's transfer window and injuries meaning he has had to draft in academy players to help Forest fight against relegation.

Moloney was one player he wanted to call upon against Derby in midweek, but he was cup tied because he played in the FA Cup while at Rushden.

He might just get his chance against QPR tomorrow though.

This week Davies spoke of his admiration of the young defender's attitude in training and eagerness to be involved.

And the Irishman is relishing the opportunity to kick on with his Forest career under a new manager and follow in the footsteps of James Perch, Lewis McGugan and Matt Thornhill by becoming a first-team regular.

Moloney said: "The manager has told me to play hard and train hard. I am a young lad so I have to get my head down and take my chance when I get it.

"That is up to me. When I get my chance, I have to play well.

"You have to prove to the manager you are worth keeping in the team, and that you will produce the form that will help the club win games.

"I played a few games a few weeks before Christmas and have been on the bench for a few games.

"The team has been doing brilliantly, winning lots of games, and it is great for everyone in the club because confidence is high. Long may that continue.

"Teams will fear us and training has been brilliant so confidence will keep rising and rising.

"Playing in those games brought me on a lot and gave me good experience. That is what I need so I am going to keep working hard and hopefully I will get another chance.

"I am just delighted to be in the squad and in the manager's thoughts. That is all I can ask for really."

Moloney, who turned 20 last month, believes his experience in non-league football with Rushden ensured he was ready to make the step up to the Forest first team when he was recalled.

"When I went to Rushden it was a different experience from the reserves. It helped me along a lot," he said.

"It was a different style of football and I spent six weeks there and maybe looked at it in a different way.

"When I got called back to Forest, I was more prepared. I just relished the opportunity because I have wanted it for so long.

"I wanted to go out and prove to everybody I was good enough to keep my place in the team, and I was delighted for the opportunity."

It was not so long ago Moloney was in Forest's academy side.

And he was in the stands at the City Ground to see the under-18s bow out of the prestigious FA Youth Cup to Bolton last week.

The Reds' youngsters had previously beaten West Ham and Middlesbrough in the competition.

One of the players who appeared in the Bolton game, Karl Darlow, had to be included on the bench against Derby last night because of the shortage of players in the first-team squad.

But Moloney thinks that bodes well for the future.

He said: "It was a great run in the FA Youth Cup and they were unlucky to go out as they played magnificently.

"I've played in the FA Youth Cup games and it is a great competition to play in.

"It was a great run and they were unlucky not to reach the quarter-finals but that has gone now."

But the young players only have to look to Moloney's determined attitude to see how they can succeed in making the step up to the first team.

It will not be long until his family fly over from Kerry to see him in action again.

But for now, he is only too aware that when called upon by Davies, he has a serious job to do.

"Everyone knows what has to be done, everyone is motivated to do that and working very hard," he said. "The confidence is sky high.

"At the start of the season we did not have many wins and all of a sudden there has been a streak of victories.

"That is brilliant, that is what the team wants and what gets the fans going.

"Now we have to continue it and I cannot wait to play my part."