Birtles: Billy can be the best since Clough

NORMALLY, I can make my way around the supermarket without any fuss.

It is not as if I am David Beckham. I don't normally attract crowds of people.

I am not usually hounded by autograph hunters.

But this week, as I wandered along the aisles, I had five or six different people eager to talk to me.

All of them were enthusiastic Forest fans and all of them had one thing to ask.

Is Billy Davies the best manager the club has had since Brian Clough?

At the time, I wasn't really sure what to answer.

But the more I think about it, the more I start to believe that, if he isn't already then – given time – he certainly could be.

There are some big shoes to fill, after all.

I am not talking about Clough here – and let's be clear, there is a long way to go before Billy can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

But let us not forget what was achieved under Frank Clark.

In the immediate aftermath of Cloughie, what Frank did may not have seemed too fantastic.

But to finish third in the top flight in 1994/95 was no mean feat. Nor was getting to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup the following season.

Billy's immediate task is identical to Frank's – to steer Forest back into the top flight.

And what is encouraging the fans so much at the moment is not just the fact that he seems to be surging towards that goal, but the manner in which Forest are blowing the opposition away.

They are playing some outstanding, entertaining football.

Today, they will be hoping to do that again in a trip to Pride Park for an East Midlands derby of epic proportions.

Unfortunately, things will not be as cut and dried as the form book might suggest.

Derby will be a tough nut to crack.

Forest, without question, have the qualities to do it.

On their day, they can beat anyone in the Championship. At their best, they can do so easily.

They have proved that already, as Davies has shaped them into a team capable of winning promotion.

Equally importantly, he may have laid a good foundation for their survival if they do make the top flight.

Such a foundation will be crucial.

Today they face a Derby side that, only a few weeks ago, had 14 players sidelined with injury.

Depending on Wes Morgan's fitness, Forest are likely to have only Julian Bennett sat in the stands through injury at Pride Park.

They have been remarkably fortunate with injuries.

But it will not last.

Which is why the club must throw their weight behind the manager now.

They will not find a better man to lead a promotion push and they will not have a better opportunity.

This is it.

When Paul Hart guided Forest to the play-offs in 2002/03, they had a fantastic opportunity to build.

Instead, the squad was dismantled the following season, which was the start of a steady demise.

I hope they do not make the same mistake again.

With the addition of three or perhaps just two new signings over the next few days, Forest can send out a double message.

Firstly, that they mean business and intend to take their promotion fight to the wire.

And secondly, that they have faith in their manager's judgment.

I understand the principles and the logic behind the acquisitions panel.

Forest have been stung in the past when they have put their faith in a manager's judgment in the transfer market.

But Billy has surely earned that trust now.

His belief is that Forest need more strength in depth.

Why not listen to him and give him what he wants?

Darren Pratley would be a good signing, as would Victor Moses.

Signing either would be a key message of intent.

But they should be making a real effort to get Nicky Shorey back on loan and to tie up Raddy Majewski on a permanent deal.

Billy could be the best manager since Clough.

But he needs support if he is to fulfil that potential.