Billy Davies's Command Centre

[David]

BILLY DAVIES has been out of work since June - but he's plotting his next move with military precision.

After spending most of the last eight years in the demanding English Championship, the 47-year-old hasn't had much time for reflection.

However, Davies now has the free hours for deep thinking following his summer departure from Nottingham Forest.

And he's making the most of his chance to regroup.

Last month Davies turned his dining room into a command centre and holed up for TWO DAYS with his backroom staff as they drew up meticulous plans.

Now he's determined to find a club that can match both their professionalism and ambition.

In an exclusive interview with MailSport, Davies said: "It was important to debrief and reflect. My staff came to my house in Glasgow and we locked ourselves away for two days.

"We were like FBI agents. Almost every inch of the walls had bits of A4 paper with notes and clippings. Different topics were discussed.

"We reviewed every aspect of our time at Forest - back to the minute we accepted the job.

"We spoke about how we trained, how we travelled, our scouting network, the days off we gave the players, our fitness programme.

"It was everything - right down to the length of the grass on the training pitches.

"It was beneficial. We now have every detail of our next pre-season planned. So we're prepared - just in case we get back in.

"It was great to have the time to do all of that because it's hard in the demanding Championship.

"You don't get enough time to coach the players.

"I'm a tracksuit manager and want to be on the grass. That's where I'm at my best."

Davies is regarded as the best gaffer in the business to get you out of the Championship.

He took Preston to the play-offs twice and it was the same story at Forest.

The former Motherwell boss went one better at Derby and led them to the Premiership in 2007 - only to leave just three months into the next campaign.

Despite his obvious coaching ability, some within the game regard Davies as moody and confrontational.

But he doesn't see himself that way and insisted: "With regards to my own reputation, as my lawyer Jim Price keeps telling me, I'm not here to be liked - I'm here to win games.

We're in the job to make tough decisions and to advise the people who employ us on how to get success. Some don't like to hear it but they need to understand that's why we're here.

"They have brought us in to change and improve things.

"There is no time to waste when you're a football manager because the prize is so great. Winning promotion to the Premiership is worth around £100million.

"People can say what they want but they don't know me. I'm driven, enthusiastic and try to be honest and fair. Any club that employs me knows they will get someone who will be in their face - but for the right reasons."

Davies is willing to work back home in Scotland or abroad but reckons he is due another crack at England's top flight.

He said: "I have unfinished business in the Premier League.

"We got Derby there after 11 months when the plan was to do it in our third year.

"I found myself out of a job after less than three months in the Premier League. Derby spent just over £10million the year we went up but it wasn't enough.

"I left Derby with a reputation I didn't deserve. I can't wait to get back - but it has to be with people who have the intention of staying in the top flight."

Davies is on the radar of many clubs so it's just a matter of time before he lands a new job.

And he hopes good times are ahead at his next destination.

He said: "It's easier to manage a club that's in the top six or eight because confidence will be high.

"What isn't easy is when you take over a club that has one foot in League One. That's the way it was when I went to Forest in 2009.

"We had one foot in the grave so we had to get the young players motivated and disciplined. They responded magnificently.

"The greatest achievement I've had so far was keeping that team in the Championship."

Davies and his staff will head to Spain next month to study training methods at different clubs.

And the Scot has just returned from a trip to the States where he called in on brother-in-law John Spencer, who's currently in charge of MLS side Portland Timbers.

Davies said: "We had a family holiday but it was also work.

"Timbers are a vibrant club with a first-class stadium and fantastic fan base. The people there recognise the work John has been doing.

"The club president Merritt Paulson and the general manager Gavin Wilkinson looked after us.

"John's fortunate to have them as they listen to what he says about the club's structure.

"What I found very interesting was the amount of coverage on American TV - it's now non-stop from academy football through to the top league. Many good players are being developed there."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/england/2011/09/11/billy-davies-two-days-of-meticulous-perparation-with-backroom-team-is-over-now-we-need-a-club-86908-23412807/

[davenportram]

How can he be one of the best managers to get you out of the championship when he failed 4 times out of 5, got teams into automatic spots and fluffed his lines? That statement is a joke.

His one and only promotion with us was a fluke, we should have lost at Wembley.

[Smyth_18]

BILLY DAVIES has been out of work since June - but he's plotting his next move with military precision.

After spending most of the last eight years in the demanding English Championship, the 47-year-old hasn't had much time for reflection.

However, Davies now has the free hours for deep thinking following his summer departure from Nottingham Forest.

And he's making the most of his chance to regroup.

Last month Davies turned his dining room into a command centre and holed up for TWO DAYS with his backroom staff as they drew up meticulous plans.

Now he's determined to find a club that can match both their professionalism and ambition.

In an exclusive interview with MailSport, Davies said: "It was important to debrief and reflect. My staff came to my house in Glasgow and we locked ourselves away for two days.

"We were like FBI agents. Almost every inch of the walls had bits of A4 paper with notes and clippings. Different topics were discussed.

"We reviewed every aspect of our time at Forest - back to the minute we accepted the job.

"We spoke about how we trained, how we travelled, our scouting network, the days off we gave the players, our fitness programme.

"It was everything - right down to the length of the grass on the training pitches.

"It was beneficial. We now have every detail of our next pre-season planned. So we're prepared - just in case we get back in.

"It was great to have the time to do all of that because it's hard in the demanding Championship.

"You don't get enough time to coach the players.

"I'm a tracksuit manager and want to be on the grass. That's where I'm at my best."

Davies is regarded as the best gaffer in the business to get you out of the Championship.

He took Preston to the play-offs twice and it was the same story at Forest.

The former Motherwell boss went one better at Derby and led them to the Premiership in 2007 - only to leave just three months into the next campaign.

Despite his obvious coaching ability, some within the game regard Davies as moody and confrontational.

But he doesn't see himself that way and insisted: "With regards to my own reputation, as my lawyer Jim Price keeps telling me, I'm not here to be liked - I'm here to win games.

We're in the job to make tough decisions and to advise the people who employ us on how to get success. Some don't like to hear it but they need to understand that's why we're here.

"They have brought us in to change and improve things.

"There is no time to waste when you're a football manager because the prize is so great. Winning promotion to the Premiership is worth around £100million.

"People can say what they want but they don't know me. I'm driven, enthusiastic and try to be honest and fair. Any club that employs me knows they will get someone who will be in their face - but for the right reasons."

Davies is willing to work back home in Scotland or abroad but reckons he is due another crack at England's top flight.

He said: "I have unfinished business in the Premier League.

"We got Derby there after 11 months when the plan was to do it in our third year.

"I found myself out of a job after less than three months in the Premier League. Derby spent just over £10million the year we went up but it wasn't enough.

"I left Derby with a reputation I didn't deserve. I can't wait to get back - but it has to be with people who have the intention of staying in the top flight."

Davies is on the radar of many clubs so it's just a matter of time before he lands a new job.

And he hopes good times are ahead at his next destination.

He said: "It's easier to manage a club that's in the top six or eight because confidence will be high.

"What isn't easy is when you take over a club that has one foot in League One. That's the way it was when I went to Forest in 2009.

"We had one foot in the grave so we had to get the young players motivated and disciplined. They responded magnificently.

"The greatest achievement I've had so far was keeping that team in the Championship."

Davies and his staff will head to Spain next month to study training methods at different clubs.

And the Scot has just returned from a trip to the States where he called in on brother-in-law John Spencer, who's currently in charge of MLS side Portland Timbers.

Davies said: "We had a family holiday but it was also work.

"Timbers are a vibrant club with a first-class stadium and fantastic fan base. The people there recognise the work John has been doing.

"The club president Merritt Paulson and the general manager Gavin Wilkinson looked after us.

"John's fortunate to have them as they listen to what he says about the club's structure.

"What I found very interesting was the amount of coverage on American TV - it's now non-stop from academy football through to the top league. Many good players are being developed there."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/england/2011/09/11/billy-davies-two-days-of-meticulous-perparation-with-backroom-team-is-over-now-we-need-a-club-86908-23412807/

c*nt

[uttoxram75]

c*nt

That's not fair.

Its daveo's forum and he can post what he likes.......

[MuespachRam]

How can he be one of the best managers to get you out of the championship when he failed 4 times out of 5, got teams into automatic spots and fluffed his lines? That statement is a joke.

His one and only promotion with us was a fluke, we should have lost at Wembley.

My favorite ever discussion... WHY was our promotion a fluke??? The extra 8 points we got? The two times we eat west brom? Scratching my head. We were the 3rd best team in the league. And that is a FACT..

Good on Billy, he will do well wherever he goes.

[Leeds Ram]

My favorite ever discussion... WHY was our promotion a fluke??? The extra 8 points we got? The two times we eat west brom? Scratching my head. We were the 3rd best team in the league. And that is a FACT..

Good on Billy, he will do well wherever he goes.

still a c*nt muespech, he can organise a team well but i think he failed at forest considering how much they spent.

[uttoxram75]

Muespach is right - we weren't lucky to go up at all, 8 points above the Baggies is proof of that.

Billy is a c*nt though.

[Mary Hindge]

I thought it was a bit of a joke when I started reading it! Sat in his room with his team talking about everything they did at Florist! It's just Billy trying to sell himself in a typical Billy way!!!

What a cnut!! I hope you fail where ever you end up Billy!!! xxx

[David]

That's not fair.

Its daveo's forum and he can post what he likes.......

Thank you, I think c*nt was abit harsh, twonk I would of accepted.

[Guest]

My favorite ever discussion... WHY was our promotion a fluke??? The extra 8 points we got? The two times we eat west brom? Scratching my head. We were the 3rd best team in the league. And that is a FACT..

Good on Billy, he will do well wherever he goes.

He did well getting us promoted, but failed at Florist, failed in the Premier, and failed with PNE, so no he wont do well wherever he goes.

[trooper]

Bloke is a Cnut but he is a great manager!! Can't fault him for that!!

[uttoxram75]

exclusive picture from the Command centre.............

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADjAAOdV9Gw/TeBJpEC2z2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/E7kXnUr3geI/s1600/labyrinth_goblins

[Hucknall Ram]

Or

http://tapatalk.com/mu/5297fef0-4a9f-85b3

[ramsbottom]

My favorite ever discussion... WHY was our promotion a fluke??? The extra 8 points we got? The two times we eat west brom? Scratching my head. We were the 3rd best team in the league. And that is a FACT..

Good on Billy, he will do well wherever he goes.

Yes we had 8 extra points than WBA but we were sitting pretty in the top two until he brought in unwanted players such as Jon Macken and f**kin about with squad rotation & team morale. Also we were pretty jammy against Southampton, especially the game at Pride Park, and against the Baggies at Wembley.

I happen to disagree with some peoples opinion of him on here, he's not a c*nt... He's a complete & utter c*nt and would have a good shot at being voted in as the president of C*ntworld!!!

[tomsdubs]

Total knob jockey, would make a joke about a man with the initials TS but i think i would get sued.

[MuespachRam]

Yes we had 8 extra points than WBA but we were sitting pretty in the top two until he brought in unwanted players such as Jon Macken and f**kin about with squad rotation & team morale. Also we were pretty jammy against Southampton, especially the game at Pride Park, and against the Baggies at Wembley.

I happen to disagree with some peoples opinion of him on here, he's not a c*nt... He's a complete & utter c*nt and would have a good shot at being voted in as the president of C*ntworld!!!

I am just casting my mind back to see if any prizes were ever given out to anyone at Christmas, as far as I can remember the season always ended sometime around May time, correct me if I am wrong, and in May, we were 8 points clear, sitting nicely in 3rd place.

weren't we?

[Boycie]

forget the season.

the play off final,take it in isolation, we were lucky to win it.

You can't argue with that.

Well, you can I suppose....

[MuespachRam]

forget the season.

the play off final,take it in isolation, we were lucky to win it.

You can't argue with that.

Well, you can I suppose....

Yep I can...and I will....I never felt at any point like we would lose that game, from the second i left my house until the second of the final whistle...we were just better.....8 points better than West Brom as it happens...

[Boycie]

Yep I can...and I will....I never felt at any point like we would lose that game, from the second i left my house until the second of the final whistle...we were just better.....8 points better than West Brom as it happens...

It's a cup final.

Where wimbledon a better team than liverpool in the FA cup win in the 80's?

[MuespachRam]

It's a cup final.

Where wimbledon a better team than liverpool in the FA cup win in the 80's?

The nature of the cup is that it is a knock out competetion....the league...is not....we ended up in a knock out competetion, playing against a team that we finished 8 points ahead of in the league....therefore...we were 8 points BETTER than them... AND, then we went ahead and won the knockout competetion......so how could they have been better than us..??