Birtles: Dexter can be Forest's Kevin Davies

WHEN I watch football these days, I become ever more convinced of one thing.

Heading is fast becoming a lost art. I am serious.

There is nobody of the calibre of Alan Shearer still playing.

Top level front-men tend to be more about finesse than brute force; more guile than guts.

There are a few exceptions.

Didier Drogba is as strong as anyone in the Premiership and, when he is not rolling around on the floor pretending to be hurt, he is actually quite an imposing player.

And Kevin Davies, the Bolton striker, is as close to an old fashioned striker as you can get.

He is a proper target man, a strong, physical figure that opposition defenders hate.

And, for the same reason, I like Dexter Blackstock at Forest.

He has been a big loss while he has been injured, the Reds have missed his physical power, as much as his goal scoring exploits.

Don't misunderstand, there is more to Blackstock's game than just being a big lump. He is a good all round striker.

He puts his head in where it hurts, he is not afraid of a physical battle and he can play a bit as well.

But, more to the point, he is an outstanding header of the ball.

He can provide flick-ons or hold the ball up and he provides an outlet. Without lavishing him with too much praise, he is the man who has made them tick so far this season.

And I hope he returns today.