AS first impressions go, Billy Davies would have struggled to make a better one.

His appointment was not well received by all Forest fans, many of whom felt his CV was critically tainted by his time in charge at Pride Park.

That spell down the A52 ended as the Rams struggled to make their mark in the Premier League, but it was Davies's feat in getting Derby promoted in the first place that more than likely attracted the attentions of the City Ground hierarchy following the sacking of Colin Calderwood.

Now it seems any lingering doubts over Davies's suitability have been erased from the minds of most Forest fans already.

Even his most harshest of critics must have been at least partially won over by the first few weeks of the Scotsman's tenure.

And it is not just the results that have swung things in his favour, but his blunt, honest and open assessment of the situation at the City Ground.

Davies arrived at the club on a wave of enthusiasm, but there were no rash promises or targets, only a dose of stark realism and a pledge that if Forest were to drop out of the Championship, it would not be for a lack of planning, passion or effort.

And his sensible ethos was reflected on the pitch, where an honest brand of hard working, organised football has already begun to reap dividends.

Davies says he is more than willing to vary his approach from the start in games, if he believes it is the right way to get results.

"If needs must, you look at things, depending on your squad of players," he said.

"It depends on the situation and the group you have available.

"It can depend on many things, from the age of your players to the position you are in.

"But my preference is 4-4-2. I do like to vary when needs must."

The win at Charlton in his first game in charge may not have been spectacular, but it was deserved, following a gutsy, disciplined display.

And, when Plymouth visited the City Ground, Forest added an additional attacking menace to the same foundations.

That approach could easily have seen them amass a more emphatic victory.

There remain a few diehard traditionalists who insist that Forest should play a more pure brand of football.

But while Davies insists that remains his long-term goal, there will be few complaints from anyone as long as, in the meantime, his approach helps Forest to secure Championship safety.