Forest manager Davies denies rift
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies insists there is no in-fighting at the City Ground and has urged the club's supporters to remain calm.
The Reds have slumped to a point off the Championship relegation zone after losing four of their last five matches.
Reports in the press suggested Davies had a problem working with football consultant David Pleat, who forms part of Forest's "acquisition committee".
But Davies said: "The big, bad Billy Davies hasn't fallen out with anyone."
The committee, together with the manager, have the final say on whether players are brought to the City Ground. It was set up because some previous managers were seen to have wasted transfer funds.
"We certainly have got mischief-makers who are enjoying their moment," Davies told Radio Nottingham.
"I'm very confident that David - with his experience and contacts - will continue to work hard and identify players that can come into this football club."
Former Preston and Derby manager Davies arrived at the City Ground at the beginning of January, but he has failed to make a single new signing.
Bids were lodged in the January transfer window for Bristol City's Dele Adebola, Norwich's Lee Croft, Hibernian captain Rob Jones and QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp but none were successful.
Forest have also been linked with loan moves for Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge and Manchester City striker Ched Evans.
"We're working very hard to get this great football club back to where it belongs, but that won't happen overnight," Davies said.
Davies has been very critical of some of his younger players, even suggesting that striker Emile Sinclair, who played the second half of the defeat against Ipswich Town, was "a million miles away" from being a first-team player.
"What we need here is a little bit of calmness. There seems to be one or two things taken out of context," he insisted.
"But I have great faith and confidence in the board, the cleverness of the board and the direction in which they're taking this football club."
A run of five wins in six matches under three different managers at the turn of the year seemed to be guiding the Reds to safety.
But Davies, who succeeded Colin Calderwood and caretaker boss John Pemberton, is not surprised by the club's current predicament.
"It was always going to be tough when I looked at the club," Davies said.
"I wasn't fooled by the early results we got against Manchester City (in the FA Cup), Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday. Hence the reason my advice was simple. We needed to add to the squad. Unfortunately that never happened."
Forest bring in Villa's Osbourne
Nottingham Forest have signed Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne on loan until the end of the season.
Osbourne, 21, came through the youth ranks at Villa and signed a three-and-a-half year deal in December 2006.
He is the first player that manager Billy Davies has brought to the club since he took the helm in January.
Forest, who are one place above the relegation zone on 37 points, take on Davies' former club Preston at the City Ground on Tuesday.
Earnshaw faces month on sidelines
Nottingham Forest could be without striker Robert Earnshaw for up to four weeks after he suffered a calf injury while on World Cup duty with Wales.
Earnshaw was hurt while training ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Finland.
Forest have six strikers competing for two spots and Earnshaw has started only two league games so far this season.
Dexter Blackstock and David McGoldrick have been the most regular starters while Nathan Tyson and Joe Garner have been deployed on the wing.
Former Birmingham and Bristol City forward Dele Adebola has been mainly used as a substitute.
Davies calls for his Forest players to remain calm
BILLY Davies today told his Nottingham Forest side to keep their feet on the ground, after notching up their sixth straight league win to climb into the top two in the Championship for the first time.
The Reds boss says his players can celebrate if they win something at the end of the season.
But, with so many teams still involved in the promotion race, Davies warns that his players must remain focused if they are to achieve a top two finish in May.
"They have not done anything yet," said Davies. "If we can get over the line, in the next 18 matches, and maybe win something, then we can talk about how great this team is.
"At the moment we have won nothing. They are playing some great football and are on a good run.
"But we cannot shout from the rooftops until we have won something.
"There are many teams still in the race. When you look at the teams who are strong and have depth.
"There are many sides with great strength. There will be one or two who come through the pack. It is a very difficult division to get out of.
"Look at the opposition and the competition. Do not miss anyone out, because there are plenty who can challenge.
"Hull City are coming under the radar, they have added a lot of players and have great depth.
"Then there is QPR, Cardiff and Leicester City. There is Norwich, Swansea and Watford. There is big, big competition in this league."
Davies has told his players they will have to give their all if they are to achieve anything in the final months of the campaign.
"We have to dig in over the next 18 games. Hopefully we can stay injury free," he said.
"We must keep ticking along with this group, who deserve enormous credit for their work ethic, the maturity they are showing and the football they are playing, which has been first class at times.
"They are learning and getting more mature. Would we have lost this game last season? Would we have lost to Coventry last season?
"They are getting wiser, they are working on the training ground.
"They are very well prepared and they are a joy to work with.
"But, where we are, at this stage of the season, nothing is won.
"We have to get back in again today, get back to working hard and preparing for the next match, against QPR.
"It is a good game, but tell me which of the next 18 matches won't be good games?
"Every point is very important, but we do not expect any easy games now."
