Davies plotting carefully to ensure Doncaster's downfall
Nottingham Forest's players – and manager Colin Calderwood – trudged off the pitch to cruel chants of 'You're getting sacked in the morning'.
In the end, the taunts were not entirely accurate.
But only because the likable Scot saw his Forest tenure brought to an end that very evening, as the emphatic, painful 4-2 defeat persuaded the club hierarchy that an immediate change was required, with the Reds seemingly floundering in their fight to avoid relegation.
Today Doncaster visit a club in very different spirits, with Billy Davies' side targeting an exit from the Championship at the opposite end of the table.
And they will find a home manager with plenty to smile about.
"There might be a feeling of déjà vu by the end of the day," joked Davies. "Never say never – anything can happen!"
With Forest on the fringes of the play-off places and in the midsts of a nine match unbeaten run Davies can have no concerns about his job security.
But nor is the manager allowing himself to get carried away, as they find themselves pitched against a Doncaster side that are more capable than their league position suggests.
"I want to win every game, this is the same again," said Davies. "And, for me, the position of the opposition club does not matter, we just have to go out and earn three points.
"It is another difficult game. They are a good side with good players who like to play good football.
"They will get respect from us, there is no doubt about that.
"If we are at it in the same way as we were in the second half at Middlesbrough, they will know that they are in for a tough game."
Forest will be looking to end a run of four consecutive draws.
But, for Davies, Forest's recent record remains something to be proud of.
"I think a point at Cardiff away from home, a point at Palace away from home and a point at Middlesbrough away from home are all outstanding results," he said.
"Yes, a late goal against Bristol City cost us, in a game we should have won.
"And we should have probably beaten Middlesbrough and Cardiff.
"But I am delighted with where we are and what we are doing. I don't think our league position is a reflection of the way we have played.
"But that is football. If somebody had said to me before the game that we could come back from Middlesbrough with a point, I would have taken that straight away.
"I think any point you take away from home is absolutely critical."
Davies believes Forest have missed Nathan Tyson and Dexter Blackstock while they have been sidelined through injury in recent weeks.
And he could be poised to throw Blackstock back into the fray today.
"Yes, we have lacked a little bit with our finishing. We have had great opportunities and the chances we create are good," said Davies.
"We are lacking a bit of clinical finishing. But Tyson and Blackstock have both been a huge loss for us.
"Being without Tyson has meant we are not crossing the ball as much – we know ourselves we still have a bit of work to do.
"But so far, so good."
It was Robert Earnshaw who came off the bench to secure a point at Boro last weekend, netting a spectacular free kick to bolster his hopes of a starting place.
But Davies hints that the Welsh international may have to be patient again.
"You have to remember that a lot of teams come to the City Ground and play five midfield players," he said.
"Given that, we do not want to get caught out by that, we do not want to go gung-ho and leave ourselves open.
"So, by playing Robert Earnshaw, who is an out and out 4-4-2 striker, it is not always the answer.
"I have not decided for definite yet, but that is certainly food for thought. We do not want to be caught out in midfield."
Under Davies, you suspect, such tactical slip-ups are highly unlikely.
If Forest's recent hard working, organised displays are proof of anything, it is that they are fiercely difficult to beat.
Because, while Davies may happily joke about the prospect of getting sacked if the result is not the right one, if the worst does happen, it will not be down to a lack of preparation or planning.
And nobody will take it more seriously than the Scotsman in the dugout.
Billy Davies
Comment on this story