If widespread reports are to be believed, Nottingham Forest have narrowed their search for a new manager, drawing up a final shortlist of three names: Steve Cotterill, Mark Robins and Kevin McDonald. There can be no doubt that following one of the most successful Championship managers currently around in Billy Davies, and a former England manager in Steve McClaren, these names will be a major disappointment to many fans who still have hopes of the City Ground being a lofty footballing haven for top quality bosses [...]

The word doughty means brave and courageous, an ironic fact given our soon-to-be-erstwhile chairman’s alleged timidity in the transfer market. Of course it’s easy to be so flippant when it’s not your own millions being frittered away on fees and wages, but Nigel Doughty’s chairmanship will be remembered for those times when a little more bravery might have seen him achieve his ambitions of Premier League status for the club [...]

First blood was drawn and the board took the hit... Pleat went down without a fight. Then the retaliation: Beswick was sacked, ending 15 years with McClaren. Would it help? The first test was at home against Birmingham [...]