WARHORSE boss Billy Davies can talk the talk. But can he and Forest walk the walk back to the Premier League on this form?
Despite brave words and a fickle Championship, the logical answer has to be a definite no on all counts. That’s especially so in the light of this poor offering against an underrated Donny, who were missing 10 men and lost three more to injury.
Davies has defied the odds before but now also has to defy the form book.
Forest have taken just eight points from the last 27, not won in six and have only scored twice in the last five while winning once in nine.
But this poor draw, which earned some boos, amazingly left them closer to second-placed Swansea.
Asked if it was two points lost, Davies countered: “I don’t agree. Lots of strange things are happening and this is a good psychological point taking us to the 60 mark.
“I would have settled for where we are now at the start of the season. We are in the mix and I don’t think things will be decided until the last two or three games.”
Survival
Forest face six games against promotion rivals next, but Davies added: “Don’t tell me games against Preston, Scunthorpe and Doncaster are easy. They are all difficult.”
The awful truth just now is Forest lack the firepower to blow away the opposition.
And despite this being an even clash, the Reds were hanging on at times.
No-one in their forward line has scored more than six goals while leading scorer Lewis McGugan is repeatedly a sub.
For Sean O’Driscoll, this was a great point, earned by watching how Hull inflicted Forest’s first home defeat in 37 last week.
“They gave us a game plan and a few ideas,” he said. “Injuries have made it difficult for us and other teams. The difference is we have no replacements.”
Rovers’ best moment came when Spurs starlet Ryan Mason ran through the home defence only to shoot wide.
And like Mark Wilson, James Coppinger and James Hayter, the 19-year-old loanee failed with both his two chances.
Forest countered with the two best opportunities – Robbie Earnshaw’s shot being smothered by the keeper while Sam Hird’s goalline block denied Sam Hird.