We certainly have got mischief-makers who are enjoying their moment Billy Davies

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies insists there is no in-fighting at the City Ground and has urged the club's supporters to remain calm.

The Reds have slumped to a point off the Championship relegation zone after losing four of their last five matches.

Reports in the press suggested Davies had a problem working with football consultant David Pleat, who forms part of Forest's "acquisition committee".

But Davies said: "The big, bad Billy Davies hasn't fallen out with anyone."

The committee, together with the manager, have the final say on whether players are brought to the City Ground. It was set up because some previous managers were seen to have wasted transfer funds.

"We certainly have got mischief-makers who are enjoying their moment," Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I'm very confident that David - with his experience and contacts - will continue to work hard and identify players that can come into this football club."

Former Preston and Derby manager Davies arrived at the City Ground at the beginning of January, but he has failed to make a single new signing.

Bids were lodged in the January transfer window for Bristol City's Dele Adebola, Norwich's Lee Croft, Hibernian captain Rob Jones and QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp but none were successful.

Forest have also been linked with loan moves for Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge and Manchester City striker Ched Evans.

"We're working very hard to get this great football club back to where it belongs, but that won't happen overnight," Davies said.

Davies has been very critical of some of his younger players, even suggesting that striker Emile Sinclair, who played the second half of the defeat against Ipswich Town, was "a million miles away" from being a first-team player.

606: DEBATE Billy needs to make his mind up. One moment he wants everybody at the club to smile and be happy. Next he is saying the team is no good and a lot of them won't be here next season BarnsleyNFFC

"But I have great faith and confidence in the board, the cleverness of the board and the direction in which they're taking this football club."

A run of five wins in six matches under three different managers at the turn of the year seemed to be guiding the Reds to safety.

But Davies, who succeeded Colin Calderwood and caretaker boss John Pemberton, is not surprised by the club's current predicament.

"It was always going to be tough when I looked at the club," Davies said.

"I wasn't fooled by the early results we got against Manchester City (in the FA Cup), Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday. Hence the reason my advice was simple. We needed to add to the squad. Unfortunately that never happened."

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