On Saturday Billy Davies made himself at home in his new surrounds and got off to the best possible start at the City Ground - securing a vital three points against Plymouth.
The win adds to the Reds' recent resurgence and ensured that Argyle now join a host of clubs that have become embroiled in the basement battle.
Billy's home curtain raiser wasn't the greatest of spectacles - but that wasn't help by a one-dimensional, lacklustre Plymouth side who were comfortably the worst to grace the City Ground in the games I've seen this season. In the first half their only outlet was the limited Rory Fallon and although in the second half they added Emile Mpenza to their striking options a commanding performance from Wes Morgan left the pair thoroughlly outclassed.
Forest's attacking play was encouraging and frustrating in equal measure, as so often has been the case this season. The likes of Anderson, Cohen and McGugan got into great positions but failed to deliver the extra goals which would have allowed us to relax a little and would have given us a scoreline our dominance (and Plymouth lack of ambition and dynamism) perhaps deseved. Towards the end McGugan in particular found himself in more and more space and began to control the game - but just couldn't quite find the telling pass/shot his stylish runs and intelligent play warranted.
The goals, when they did come, were testament to Earnie's predatory prowess and Tyson's increasing confidence - factors that have been key to our revival.
Davies instantly showed a contrast to Calderwood in his approach. CC was more softly spoken Scot wheras Davies is a snarling, growling Glaswegian who patrols his technical area with boundless energy and could regularly be seen cajoling the players into carrying out his instructions. Smith in particular seemed to be the recipient of a menacing stare and a few strong words when, as he does too often, he wasted the chance to launch a counter attack by dawdling on the ball.
Billy's more ruthless demeanour is needed in his players and was at least in part shown by the ability to get a result against a side who would've been happy to frustrate and take a point.
He got a rousing reception from the fans when he emerged from the tunnel and seemed to spark an instant rapport with a crowd perhaps even more keen than ever to show it isn't as negative as made out to be. The fact he has managed Derby was brought up in some circles as a problem but, if anything, his past seems to have endeared himself to us even more - he wants to get back at Derby and we simply want to get at them. The perfect match.
And speaking of Derby, we're now on the eve of the next trip to the home of the dirty sheep. With Davies, Clough, Commons and Earnshaw thrown into the equation and a contraversial end to the last visit to the wrong end of the A52 still fresh in the memory this promises to be another fiery encounter.
We're now 5 games without a win against Derby and it's not just Billy who will feel he has a point to prove in the FA Cup 4th round clash. Earnie had a barren time with the sheep, mainly due to a lack of games, and will want to showcase his famed goal celebration to the mutton botherers. McGugan will want to remove memories of his last trip - which ended in a red card - and the likes of Wilson, Chambers, Smith et al will all be playing for their places with the January transfer window nearing its end. This is a squad which can ill afford to rest on its laurels.
Billy's sensible and open approach to management has won over many of the doom and gloom merchants that made their grumbles heard at the time of his appointment. He now heads into a game where he has the chance to work his way firmly into fans' affections. Last time out at Prideless Park it was ex-sheep Lee Camp that became an instant hero with the Tricky Trees faithful. This time it can be Billy.....
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