Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi has appointed unproven manager Lewis Horsley to take over from Billy Davies whose second reign lasted just under 5 months. Davies left after a public disagreement with the Kuwaiti family and the general consensus around The City Ground is that Forest will be much better for it. Fawaz moved quickly to appoint, avid Forest fan, Lewis Horsley who will take the reigns from 1st July and it is unknown at this moment in time the relationship the owners have with Lewis Horsley and why they felt it appropriate to appoint someone who is yet to manage at a professional level. From the outset it seems a strange appointment and many see promotion an impossible task for someone who will take a while to settle in. Who knows what the future holds for Nottingham Forest?

A bit more information would be nice but good luck!

2013-12-31 16:40#152176 silas1231 : A bit more information would be nice but good luck!

Thank you, my first manager story! Many more posts to come!

Nice to see a Nottingham Forest story as I support them. Good luck with the story

Good luck !

Good luck man.

How does it feel to be sat here as the manager of the team you have supported since a young age?
It's amazing. I couldn't have ever imagined that I would manage them one day but it is something I've always wanted to do.

What effect do you think it has that you have supported Forest since a kid?
What effect do you think it has that you have supported Forest since a kid?
In my opinion it can only be a good thing. Having supported them through some difficult years and hearing my Dad talk about the 'good 'ole days' has spurred me on to make the most of this opportunity and I can promise the fans that I have their best interests in mind with many of my decisions. Being a supporter I know how fans react to certain decisions, appointments and signings and in the past I have agreed and disagreed with many decisions but I will not let this get in the way of my intentions of taking this club to the next level and in my opinion, back to where we belong. So although I will consider how the fans will react to my decisions, this doesn't mean I won't use my initiative and not take risks. If it wasn't for managers taking risks, they would be unemployed rather than winning European competitions.

The past few years have seen many managers making use of the loan window and then signing these players permanently after a successful loan spell. Is this an approach that you are likely to take?
I wouldn't say this is an approach at all. I and the previous managers here obviously see the loan window as a useful resource and if it means I can bring in premiership quality players without paying their massive wages then yes it is something I will consider.

Harry Redknapp and Joe Jordan are perfect examples of managers taking their backroom staff to the different jobs that they take on but with this being your first time in management, how do you aim to go about this?
I'm not going to beat around the bush here but many of the current staff here will be leaving and they have been informed of this and will have compensation packages arranged and there are no harsh feelings around the club. I have a few personnel who are ready to come in, some from other clubs and some who come in after being unemployed and all of these know me well and will be integral to my task here at Nottingham Forest. There will be a few gaps which will need filling and we have already been inundated with applicants wanting to apply for these posts. You will be made aware of these incomings and outgoings officially in the next few days.

Finally, coming to the club brings about much excitement and times of change but what were your first tasks after you were appointed?
Well I'm quite organised so I made a to do list on my iPhone and I can read this out if you want...
To do list...

Talk to staff and mutually terminate contracts where need be.

Contact and arrange contracts for my backroom staff coming in.

Arrange friendlies.

Introduce myself to the team.

Take first team pre-season training session.

Attend press conference.

Attend interview with BBC Nottingham sports reporter and 'hottie' Natalie Jackson

Meet with board and staff to discuss tactics and philosophies.

Transfer list unwanted players.

Sort out team training, match preparation and individual training for all players.

Arrange older players to mentor younger players.

Make all staff clear of their responsibilities.

Highlight players that I'm interested in to the board.

Thank you for that insight and we wish you all the best of luck in the future.

nice update, looking forward to more!

Nottingham Forest manager has moved quickly to bring in 3 players in just his first 24 hours in charge at The City Ground, running up a bill of around £4.8million. Lewis has hardly had time to arrange his family photos on his desk before securing 3 promising and foreword thinking signings, all of which are aged 24.


Sam Baldock, 24, arrives from League 1 outfit Bristol City for a fee of around £2.5million. Baldock notched up 10 goals last season in the Championship but didn't do enough to stop his team from being relegated.


Tough tackling Mali international midfielder Samba Diakité, 24, arrives from fellow promotion rivals, QPR for a fee thought to be around £1.4million. Diakité arrives at a time in which it looks like midfielder Guy Moussi may be on his way back to France and its obvious that Lewis sees Diakité as a strong replacement with Premiership quality.


The left back position has been a somewhat problem in recent years for Nottingham Forest with multiple unsuccessful loan signings and Dan Harding not doing enough to secure the position which has lead to the arrival of Tommy Rowe, also aged 24, for just £875k which seems a snip for someone with the potential that young Rowe has.

Reds boss, Lewis Horsley, yesterday quoted that "it's promotion or nothing this season" on the back of 5 wins out of a possible 6 in their pre season games. Horsley experimented in every fixture and although it only being in friendlies, it looks as if he is bringing exciting and possession based football to The City Ground.

In all 6 of Forests preseason games they have dominated possession wise and created and converted numerous chances, all be it against lower league teams. There were run outs for youth prospects; Jack Black, David Morgan, Lawrence Gorman and Wilfred Gnahore as well as new signings; Baldock, Diakité and Rowe.

Results

Good luck! Nice updates and good transfers. Hopefully this season is Forest's season!

Nice updates! Good Luck with that!

2014-01-03 15:31#152725 OnTheBallCityNCFC : Good luck! Nice updates and good transfers. Hopefully this season is Forest's season!

Thanks. Yes, hopefully in the football manager world and the real world (although both come pretty close)

3-0 v PSG! Top draw pre-season

2014-01-03 16:53#152757 P-KIDDY : 3-0 v PSG! Top draw pre-season

Cheers. Hopefully i can carry it on to the first game against Huddersfield!