Davies dealing with hard facts, rather then speculation

TODAY, Lee Carsley is the latest man to be linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.

He joins a list that, this week alone, already includes Andrew Surman of Wolves and Barnet youngster Albert Adomah.

Doubts over Carsley's match fitness are likely to end any immediate interest in him, although it is understood that the Birmingham skipper, who has had an ankle injury, is a player the Reds have considered as a possible replacement for Paul McKenna.

Surman is also a player Forest have shown an interest in – but the Premiership side are unlikely to allow any members of their squad to leave during the finale to the season.

While, to be frank, reports linking Forest with winger Adomah were nonsense.

For Billy Davies (pictured), such speculation is nothing new.

When asked what steps have been taken to replace McKenna, his reply has an air of familiarity.

"I am always recommending players," he said. "Whether it be in a phone call, talking to a board member or in an acquisitions panel meeting, I am always recommending and advising potential signings.

"I'm always assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the squad. There may only be certain meetings of the committee. But conversations take place on a daily basis."

Has he specifically identified potential replacements for Paul McKenna, however?

"I have identified and recommended positions that we are weak in, as I have done since day one," he said.

"I will continue to do that. I can show you a flip chart in my office with a list of names.

"I have had all my staff out watching games in the last few weeks. But the recommendation process never stops.

"It is only when I walk out of the room that the conversations begin about whether these players will be brought in."

Davies, however, says he will not be banging on anyone's door to plead his case, when it comes to the importance of new additions to fill the void left by the influential skipper.

"Why would I do that? We knew the position in January, we knew the position in the summer," he said.

"I won't be knocking on anyone's door. I will have conversations with the chief executive, with the chairman and the committee."

Davies, clearly, is not concerned about speaking bluntly when it comes to the process of signing players.

And he is also willing to take a hard line approach with his team selection, even if it puts a few noses out of joint.

"In the position we are in, winning games is important," he said. "We will pick a team to win the game today, at Preston.

"Getting the balance right away from home is important, which is why team selection becomes important.

"It is also why it is not just the sexy players who have a role to play. The fans need to realise why the unsung heroes have a role to play. They are important."

While a more defensive team selection may not be understood by all Forest supporters, the manager will certainly expect to come under fire from sections of the home crowd at Deepdale today.

Despite taking the Latics into the play-offs in the Championship, some Preston fans have not forgiven the Scot for leaving to join Derby County.

"When you are at a football club, you are flavour of the month," he said. "When you leave, you become the enemy.

"The vast majority of fans at the club when I was there were delighted at the job I did and the position I left the club in when I moved on.

"There are a small minority who might have something to say, without having the right facts or knowledge.

"But you deal with them and the best way to do so is to ignore them."