Nottingham Forest

Boss Megson furious with Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Gary Megson was furious with his side after their 3-2 defeat against Macclesfield in the Carling Cup first round. Megson said: "What has made me most angry is that we only started to play we should be was when we went 2-1 down. "If we play like we did in the first half, which was strolling around, we're going to struggle all the time. "Nobody is going to just roll over and give you everything that you want. We don't battle well enough."

Rogers looks to impress at Stoke
Nottingham Forest defender Alan Rogers has joined Stoke on trial with a view to permanent move. Rogers, 28, is on the transfer list at Forest and has not figured in boss Gary Megson's plans this season. Stoke boss Johan Boskamp told his club's website: "We're going to have a good look at him, but he's got to be better than what we have. "I have a responsibility to the young players at this club to make sure they get a chance as well."

Forest manager opts to battle on
Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson is to battle on in his bid to revive the club's fortunes. Megson had said he would leave the City Ground, following six defeats in seven games, if the board wanted. But Megson has reportedly received the backing of the Forest hierarchy and is to continue his eight-month reign. "I have had a message of support from the chairman and spoken to the chief executive (Mark Arthur)," he told the Nottingham Evening Post. The former Norwich, Blackpool, Stockport, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion manager added: "I like working for this football club. "We are where we are and everyone has got to roll their sleeves up and do what is expected of them, myself included. "But the methods I employed at West Brom to get results don't appear to have the same effect here. I am going to have to adjust my thinking."

Hoult joins Forest in loan move
West Brom goalkeeper Russell Hoult has joined League One strugglers Nottingham Forest on a month's loan. Hoult's summer was blighted by a groin problem and he is yet to make a first-team appearance this season. Baggies boss Bryan Robson said: "It is best for him to go out and play first-team football. I can gauge his fitness while he's playing for Forest." Hoult will be re-united with former West Brom boss Gary Megson, who is now in charge of Forest.

Coventry recruit Watson and Impey
Coventry have signed defender Paul Watson and midfielder Andy Impey on non-contract terms. The pair had both been training with Micky Adams' squad since pre-season and can now feature in first-team action. Watson, 30, was released by Brighton - where he was signed by Adams in 1999 - in the summer. Much-travelled winger Impey, 33, was released by Nottingham Forest after their relegation last season, and also played under Adams at Leicester.

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Rotherham
Jack Lester ended nine months of injury torment as he scored to help Nottingham Forest secure a much-needed win. Lester, who last played in December, converted a spotkick after Rotherham keeper Neil Cutler had spilled a long-range shot from Kris Commons. Lester pounced on the loose ball, only to be fouled by Cutler. The Rotherham keeper had a game he will want to forget - two minutes from time he misjudged a cross from Commons, allowing the ball to fly over his head. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Hoult, Thompson, Morgan, Breckin, Eaden, Commons, Southall, Friio, Perch, Johnson, Lester (Bopp 90). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Gardner, Fernandez, Pittman. Goals: Lester 76 pen, Commons 88. Rotherham: Cutler, Robertson, Gilchrist, Barker, Worrell (Hoskins 85), McLaren, Williamson (Otsemobor 79), Keane, Mullin, Butler, Burton. Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Murdock, Vernazza. Booked: Barker. Att: 20,123. Ref: P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Forest delight at Lester comeback
Nottingham Forest assistant boss Frank Barlow was pleased to see Jack Lester back among the goals against Rotherham. The striker had been sidelined by injury for nine months, but scored on his return as Forest won 2-0. "Everyone is delighted for Jack that he's got himself fit again. He brings something different to a football team," Barlow said. "But the whole team deserve credit for showing such character and playing the way we did in the situation we are in."

Nottm Forest 3-1 Bristol City
Nottingham Forest beat struggling Bristol City to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season. City took a 15th-minute lead through Steven Gillespie, but Forest were soon level through a Jack Lester penalty after Kris Commons was fouled. Within 60 seconds Forest were ahead when Lester's shot across goal was turned in by youngster James Perch. Commons settled the game in superb fashion in the 55th minute with a long-range shot past Steve Phillips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Hoult, Eaden, Morgan, Breckin, Thompson (Gardner 70), Perch, Southall, Friio, Johnson, Lester (Dadi 78), Commons (Bopp 74). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Pittman. Goals: Lester 25 pen, Perch 27, Commons 55. Bristol City: Phillips, Jamie Smith, Partridge, Keogh, Grant Smith (Wilkshire 45), Skuse, Brown, Woodman, Murray (Cotterill 65), Stewart, Gillespie (Bridges 53). Subs Not Used: Orr, Burch. Booked: Keogh, Partridge. Goals: Gillespie 15. Att: 16,666. Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Megson delight at Forest progress
Gary Megson is happy with the way his Nottingham Forest side are improving after the 3-1 victory over Bristol City earned them a second successive win. Megson told Sir Stanley: "We got a clean sheet on Saturday, then against City we went behind and won for the first time since I've been here. "I thought at times during the first half we looked a really good side. "We tried to be a bit too fancy and got into trouble again but there's no doubt that we are improving."

FA makes bid for Under-21 contest
The Football Association has launched a bid for England to host the 2007 Uefa Under-21 Championship. Stadiums in the Midlands have been earmarked to host the games, with the new Wembley to stage the final. "The FA welcomes this opportunity to bid to stage the 2007 Championship," said FA chairman Geoff Thompson. "The FA will provide the finest stadia, facilities, infrastructure and commitment to ensure this tournament is the most successful in its history." PROPOSED STADIA Pride Park (capacity 33,597) Ricoh Arena (32,500) Walkers Stadium (32,500) City Ground (30,602) Molineux (29,400) Britannia Stadium (28,218) The Hawthorns (28,003) Meadow Lane (20,300) The proposed stadia involved - from which a shortlist would be made - would be Derby County's Pride Park, Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, Nottingham Forest's City Ground, Notts County's Meadow Lane, Coventry City's Ricoh Arena, Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, West Bromwich Albion's The Hawthorns and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux home. The final would be played at the new Wembley Stadium in London. The decision has received backing from Lord Coe, who was a key player in London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. "England has a unique offering to football fans," said Lord Coe, chairman for London 2012. "It features some of the world's finest stadia and some of the world's most passionate football fans. "English football has a fanatical following across the globe and also offers the heritage of being the birthplace of the game." The other candidate countries are the Czech Republic, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey. A decision is expected from Uefa's executive committee on 15 December.

Megson admits Forest shortcomings
Nottingham Forest boss Gary Megson felt his side were punished by efficient Southend in the defeat at Roots Hall. Megson told Forest's website: "We needed to make more of the opportunities we had and didn't manage to get on the scoresheet. "We dealt with them and weathered it well for most of the game but not all the way through. "They're a good, well-organised side with a lot of pace and power and I can see why they've won their last eight."

Megson praises goalkeeper Gerrard
Nottingham Forest boss Gary Megson felt that only goalkeeper Paul Gerrard could hold his head up high after their 1-1 draw at Rotherham. "We only had one player playing well in the first half," Megson said. "If Paul hadn't been playing as well as he was, we would have been four goals down. He was superb. "But it was a typical Nottingham Forest away performance. We don't compete, we don't run, we don't challenge and we don't pass the ball enough." He added: "Apart from Nathan Tyson and one or two others, we had a team of prima donnas who just thought they had to turn up."

Duo to remain in charge at Forest
Nottingham Forest have confirmed that Ian McParland and Frank Barlow will continue as joint caretaker managers of the club "until further notice". The duo were handed temporary control of the League One side last week following the departure of Gary Megson. Forest chairman Nigel Doughty says it is unlikely a new manager will be appointed before the summer. Barlow says he is not interested in the job permanently, while McParland has not made his intentions public. Barlow was assistant manager under Megson, while McParland was reserve-team coach. Academy coach John Pemberton is taking temporary control of the reserves in place of McParland. Barlow and McParland saw their "reign" get off to a positive start with a 2-0 win over Port Vale on Saturday.

McParland rules out manager job
Nottingham Forest joint caretaker boss Ian McParland has ruled himself out of the permanent manager's position. McParland and Frank Barlow took charge of first team affairs after Gary Megson was sacked two weeks ago, with Barlow already stating he is not interested. McParland told the club website: "All I am interested in, alongside Frank, is preparing the players for the next game and taking it from there. "But when a new manager comes along then that is fine by me."

Southall sees shoulder specialist
Nottingham Forest midfielder Nicky Southall will seek advice from a specialist to discover the extent of his shoulder injury. The 34-year-old sustained the injury during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate. He left the pitch in the 15th minute in some discomfort and was replaced by Sammy Clingan. Southall has already been ruled out of the weekend's City Ground clash with his former club Gillingham.

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