Davies demanding more from his Forest players

BILLY Davies today praised his Nottingham Forest side for extending their unbeaten run against one of the 'toughest' sides in the Championship – but criticised some of his players for failing to produce their best.

A physical, hard-working Bristol City team earned a draw at the City Ground with a late equaliser after Wes Morgan had put the Reds ahead in the 86th minute.

Davies (pictured) felt it was a good result, against a Robins side he believes will be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.

And he said he would forgive his players for having an off day.

"When you look at performances, from middle to front, people like McGoldrick, Majewski, McKenna and Garner – and one or two others – they just did not do what they are good at," he said.

"For us to get success, we need them to be having seven, eight or nine-out-of-ten performances, not five-out-of-ten.

"I don't think it is about freshness. I said a 24-man squad is crucial for us in the Championship and we are still a little bit light in certain areas.

"We are getting a great response from the players. The improvement is pleasing.

"But we are still a side that is learning. We still have a lot of work to do."

Davies believes his team has improved dramatically since last season.

"One of their coaching staff said to me afterwards what a good side he thought we were and we are very much improved from the last time Bristol came here. We have improved," he said.

"But don't forget sides like them, Cardiff and plenty of others have had plenty of time together. They have picked up experience together.

"We have only been together since July. None of us can get carried away because we are not good enough at the minute.

"I said to the team before the game that this was a 1-0 game. I knew they would come here and make it very difficult for us.

"They are difficult to break down. They are strong and physical and we knew we would have to defend well.

"But our play in the first 45 minutes was not good, our passing was not good, our possession was not good and we did not have enough crosses or shots on goal.

"Defensively, I thought we handled their front three very well and, in the second half, there was a good impact from the subs. They brightened us up well and we got a good goal.

"But then two of our most outstanding players, in the centre of defence, got caught out ball-watching. It was a pity, because the two centre-halves were excellent."