Ranting Red: Billy’s bunkum and other Garibaldi gripes about Nottingham Forest

It appears, to all intents and purposes, Billy Davies will not only be in the dugout come the start of the new season, but will have cash to splash on players.

What a relief.

A lot might be said and read about his fractious relationship with the club’s hierarchy, however, I am willing to put my last beer-soaked fiver on that most supporters have had enough of the whole lot of them.

Behind all the smoke and mirrors, the reality is that Forest are licking their wounds from another failure in the play-offs and seem intent on an inactive transfer policy.

Tied in with the imminent departures of Robert Earnshaw and Guy Moussi, two players a provincial club such as Forest should be fighting tooth and nail to keep hold of, the club have done nothing to bolster the squad since the end of the season.

Earnshaw and Moussi coupled with the consistent performances of Luke Chambers and Wes Morgan, in front of arguably the best ‘keeper in the league in Lee Camp, the Reds have a solid spine which would be worthy of challenging for automatic promotion.

But, to deter our thoughts from a diminishing playing staff reminiscent of Paul Hart’s squad of 2003, the headlines have been dominated by a power-driven manager desperate of shedding the ‘nearly man’ tag.

Hopefully it will prove to be in Forest’s favour, but it seems by talking a good game, people will believe you.

Exactly a year ago, Davies decided against ruling out the possibility he would be heading north of the border, even when deep down in his heart of hearts he knew Celtic wouldn’t touch him and his championing of Rangers was, well, just fish wrappers at the end of the day.

This time, however, with the memories of 2010 still fresh in the mind, Davies sat back and watched the speculative media do the job for him.

Debt-riddled Cardiff, Championship new boys West Ham and top 10 Premiership side Fulham were all possible destinations for the fiery Scot.

It was his and the club’s silence which was most deafening.

Why wouldn’t he come out and say he was committed to the club?

Why didn’t the club come out and say they were committed to him?

The only indication lies in the comments made by interview-shy CEO Mark Arthur, after Nathan Tyson’s father came out to capitalise on the club’s wavering popularity.

‘Agent’ Len Tyson not only tried to ensure his son left the club with the fans on his side, which would have been a surprising conclusion if Tyson is to join Derby, but stuck the boot in, in an attempt to broker a better deal, whatever colour the shirt.

Arthur’s statement was welcomed, he defended the club’s corner and ultimately reminded everyone Tyson is a handsomely paid striker who can’t cross and doesn’t score.

What was interesting, however, was what he said: “Under normal circumstances we would not be discussing matters like this in public but as a club we feel there is a need to explain the situation.”

So, ‘under normal circumstances’, why wouldn’t they want to tell supporters why a player who served the club for the past five years is set to leave the club?

If you ask me, or are reading this column, it shows a complete lack of respect for the fans who pack into the City Ground every other week, who buy the new shirts every year, who buy a pie and pint at half-time (if they’re lucky), and who travel the length of the country on a cold Tuesday nights to see them lose against Scunthorpe.

Well, it is time the club show fans not just respect they deserve but some transparency, as these are not normal circumstances and this is no ordinary club.