Field Notes

• Middlesbrough are reported to be approaching Billy Davies to replace Tony Mowbray as their manager. It seems unlikely that Billy would jump ship just days after signing a contract extension, but naturally this coincidence of events has set the conspiracy theorists into overdrive.
• Dexter Blackstock has been loaned out to Leeds United for three months. Blackstock has been largely frozen out this season, despite other strikers failing to score regularly, so the loan may be a prelude to a permanent move. Blackstock’s last goal for Forest came in December 2012 against Leeds in the 4-2 win that was Sean O’Driscoll’s final game.
• Forest Ladies have been given a temporary respite from their financial difficulties, with a new sponsor stepping in to finance them for the next two months. However, some still believe the death knell is sounding for the club. The most recent statement from NFFC on the matter suggested the club intends to start its own incorporated women’s side and is willing to let the current NFLFC die a slow and painful death, which seems churlish and callous behaviour and flies in the face of recent PR efforts to make Fawaz Al-Hasawi appear caring and passionate.