The start to the season won’t have the Forest fans dreaming of Premier League football but Billy Davies is in a very positive frame of mind and asks only for a little bit of time for his “wonderful group of players” to gel. Beating Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup won’t have done the manager’s sanguine frame of mind any harm.

After struggling to contain Middlesbrough in the first half of normal time, the Forest players started the second period with an improved attitude and in the end were fully deserving of their place in next round, which was sealed with a first goal from on-loan midfielder Radoslaw Majewski. The key now is for the players to carry that form in to this Saturday’s clash with Derby in hopes of landing their first ever Brian Clough Trophy, something which his son will, somewhat ironically, be trying to prevent.

Winning on Saturday is more important because of the rivalry between the two clubs than it is for being some kind of indication of the rest of Forest’s season. Billy Davies is more than justified to ask for a little bit of time to allow his team to develop. Coming in mid-season to take over a side battling against relegation doesn’t allow a manager much room to experiment and though it went to their penultimate game, the sole objective, survival, was secured. Only since that draw with Blackpool has Davies been able to turn his mind to the direction he wants to take the team, the style of football he wants them to play and perhaps even, in his more optimistic moods, how he plans to bring top-flight football back to the City Ground. There’s no point denying that work needs to be done but there’s also no escaping the clear evidence that Davies has had a busy summer in his efforts to get that work started. Nine new signings and one loanee is a lot for a squad to absorb and though a number of these players had short spells on loan at the club last season, they’ve probably only just about nailed down each other’s names by now. The football, if the boss’s optimism is to be bought in to, will follow soon enough.

There was evidence of it against Middlesbrough and, despite results, other than the Watford game, performances have been encouraging. Davies has admitted that he needs to strengthen at the back, at the moment one defensive injury results in several players having to change position to cope, and there are sure to be some new additions brought in this week. If not then Davies will struggle to progress with this Achilles heel.

Elsewhere on the pitch, especially in attack, Forest have the ability to trouble any side in the league. Derby have started the season well but not without shipping some goals so the strikers will get opportunities but they’ll need to sharpen up their finishing with chances being spurned on a far to regular basis. Davies has good options up front thanks to the summer additions of Adebola, McGoldrick and Blackstock, all of whom have opened their accounts for the club. If the manager can keep hold of Robert Earnshaw, then he’ll certainly have the firepower to make an impact in the Championship.

The key against Derby will be avoiding any big defensive errors and taking the chances at the other end. Nathan Tyson and Paul Anderson have impressed in midfield and if you fancy betting on someone outside the strikers in the goalscorer markets then these two deserve a look. Otherwise the 6/5 on the win is worth taking, especially if the performance matches the second half Carling Cup display and the 2-1 win at 15/2 appeals for some reason. Click here to visit Paddypower

The ties between these to clubs are complex, the rivalry intense but if you ask Billy Davies what really matters this Saturday, he’ll give you that classic managerial response. 3 points.