Match Report: Charlton 0-2 Nottingham Forest

Radoslaw Majewski and Henri Lansbury were on target as Nottingham Forest swept aside 10-man Charlton 2-0. New Forest boss Billy Davies this week called on his two midfielders to chip in with more goals after both broke their ducks in Tuesday's 6-1 drubbing of Huddersfield. And they were clearly paying attention as Polish midfielder Majewski, who had not found the net in his first 20 games, made it four in two matches while Lansbury doubled his tally for the campaign. Davies can now boast a draw and two wins from his first three games since returning to the City Ground, with his in-form side moving ominously towards the play-off places. Charlton were already up against it but Yann Kermorgant did them no favours by getting himself sent off for clashing with Greg Halford in the 37th minute. The French striker aimed a kick at Forest defender Halford off the ball and, after consulting with his assistant, referee Andrew Madley showed him a straight red card. Charlton made it to the break all-square but lasted just eight minutes of the second half before Majewski struck. Reid found the Pole in the area and, although his touch appeared heavy, it took him past a couple of defenders before he prodded the ball past Hamer. Lansbury then had a shot deflected narrowly wide, but the former Arsenal midfielder's luck was in on the hour mark. Hamer badly fumbled a weak shot from Simon Cox and Lansbury was gifted a tap-in from inside the six-yard box. It was almost 3-0 moments later but Hamer managed to scramble Elliott Ward's flick against a post, before Majewski wasted another good chance when he blasted over the top again.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

Billy Davies was denied a winning return to Nottingham Forest by a goal from Craig Davies, as Bolton clawed their way back from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at the City Ground. The Reds had produced a promising performance to mark the start of the Scotsman's second spell in charge at the club. But they could not make the most of numerous chances on an afternoon when Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan at times almost single-handedly held them at bay. Andy Reid looked as though he had done enough to secure three points for Forest when he swept home a trademark finish from the edge of the box in the 59th minute, to put his side ahead. But substitute Craig Davies popped up to spoil what had otherwise been an encouraging afternoon for the home side, with a simple finish in the 77th minute.

McLeish leaves Nottingham Forest

Alex McLeish has left his role as Nottingham Forest manager by mutual consent, the npower Championship club have confirmed. Recent reports speculated that McLeish was considering his future at the City Ground after little over a month at the helm. The Scot was left frustrated after missing out on several transfer targets last month - most notably Peterborough winger George Boyd whose move to the east midlands was scuppered by a failed eye test. And a bad week for McLeish was capped on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at his former club Birmingham, where both Blues goals were scored by another player he tried to sign - Chris Burke. It is thought the reason behind McLeish's decision to leave Forest is interference from the club's Kuwaiti owners, the Al-Hasawi family, in team affairs. McLeish, who replaced Sean O'Driscoll as manager on December 27, said via a statement on the club's official website: "I am extremely saddened to be leaving after such a short period. "But even so, it has been a privilege to be manager of such a fantastic football club and I want to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish Nottingham Forest the best of fortunes ahead. "Both parties entered into the relationship in good faith, however, there was a difference in the understanding of the development strategy of the football club and it was felt by both parties that we should part company."

Former England Manager to Quit Forest

Steve McClaren is considering walking away from Nottingham Forest, just three months after returning to English football.
McClaren could quit the City Ground after running out of patience with Forest’s lack of ambition under chairman Nigel Doughty.
Forest have offloaded nine players this summer and paid out only £2million on signings, leaving a distraught McClaren facing an uncertain future.
Former England manager McClaren is taking a few days to consider his options and is thought to be disappointed and frustrated at the lack of further additions, as he believes he is short of what is required to take the club to promotion.

Match Report: Doncaster 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Defender Chris Gunter scored the only goal of the game as Nottingham Forest beat Doncaster to record their first league win under Steve McClaren.The Reds had failed to score in their first two Championship matches and offered little by way of an attacking threat at the Keepmoat Stadium.However, Gunter's 31st-minute header proved enough.The result was harsh on Sean O'Driscoll's men, who were the better side for large periods.Former Blackburn striker Matt Derbyshire made his Forest debut as manager McClaren made four changes from Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Millwall.Ishmael Miller, who arrived from West Bromwich Albion this week for an initial fee of £1.2million, had to settle for a place on the bench, along with highly-rated midfielder Lewis McGugan.Rovers made a bright start with James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett going close in the opening four minutes, the latter's 20-yard effort appearing to be tipped over the crossbar by Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp but referee Andy Woolmer gave a goal kick.Wes Morgan hooked wide from an Andy Reid free-kick at the other end but it was Doncaster who enjoyed the bulk of possession, with midfield trio John Oster, Simon Gillett and Giles Barnes linking well.But Forest made the breakthrough against the run of play moments after Derbyshire had seen a penalty appeal turned down when Gunter nodded home Brendan Moloney's deep cross.Camp showed good agility to palm away an effort from Coppinger that looked destined for the corner and ensure the visitors headed into the interval with their lead intact.

Gillett had a chance to equalise early in the second half when he was picked out at the far post by Barnes, but the former Southampton man failed to connect cleanly with his volley and Forest clung on for the victory.

Nottingham Forest Complete Miller Signing

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ishmael Miller from West Bromwich Albion.The Reds have paid an initial £1.2million for the striker, who has signed a three-year City Ground contract.Manager Steve McClaren said: "Ishmael is still a young player but has loads of experience and a lot to prove."He wants to play, which is why he's coming to Forest."He's the type of player we want at the club, he's young and ambitious and fits the criteria perfectly."Miller launched his career with his home town club Manchester City and made 17 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal, before joining West Brom on loan.After a successful six-month spell at The Hawthorns - he scored on his debut and won his first England Under 21 cap during that time - he completed a permanent switch in January 2008.He has made more than 60 league appearances for The Baggies and has scored 14 goals.The 24 year old had a five-month loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the second half of last season and helped Neil Warnock's men land the Championship title.

Miller is McClaren's fifth signing of the summer.

Miller to join Nottingham Forest

West Bromwich Albion striker Ishmael Miller is in talks with Championship club Nottingham Forest about a permanent move. It is understood that the two clubs have agreed a fee but a deal has yet to be finalised with the player.
Albion said on their website that the 24-year-old forward was set to have a medical yesterday and meet Forest manager Steve McClaren. "Ishmael looks like he will go to Nottingham Forest," added Hodgson. "I think he is at the age where he needs to be a No 1 player, not a guy who hangs around and gets 20 minutes every now and then."
Miller made six substitute appearances in the Premier League last season before going on loan to QPR in January. He scored once in 14 appearances during his spell in West London to win his second Championship medal, having scored nine goals in Albion's successful 2007-08 second-tier title campaign.

Nottingham Forest set to sign Dutch Winger Wesley Verhoek

Nottingham Forest have agreed an undisclosed fee to sign Dutch winger Wesley Verhoek from ADO Den Haag.The 24-year-old is due to arrive in Nottingham on Monday to have a medical and discuss personal terms.Reds manager Steve McClaren has been looking to sign a wide midfielder for several weeks and had also been tracking Wayne Routledge.McClaren first became aware of Verhoek when the former England boss was in charge of FC Twente in the Netherlands.The versatile winger was also a target for new Rangers manager Ally McCoist, who confirmed in July that a bid had been made to Den Haag.Forest have so far only completed three signings in the transfer window, bringing in Andy Reid, Jonathan Greening and George Boateng.

But West Brom striker Ishmael Miller is also poised to move to the City Ground.

Match Report:Nott'm Forest 0 - 0 Barnsley

Barnsley frustrated new Nottingham Forest manager Steve McClaren to earn a deserved point in an uninspiring draw.Forest had plenty of possession but created little - particularly in a tedious opening half.
The Tykes threatened sporadically thanks to the pace of Danny Haynes and Craig Davies and the latter wasted their best chance when he headed wide.The hosts improved after the break, Lewis McGugan firing wide and seeing a shot blocked but Barnsley survived.And Barnsley - also playing under a new manager in Keith Hill - were good value for their point despite Forest's slight improvement after the interval.McClaren's men passed the ball well enough but, apart from a promising five-minute spell before the break and a couple of periods of pressure in the second half, they barely looked like scoring.Veteran midfielder George Boateng provided a decent platform sitting in the centre of the midfield and fellow new signings Jonathan Greening and Andy Reid showed glimpses of their undoubted guile and creativity.But David McGoldrick was almost anonymous up front and their lack of a cutting edge was glaringly obvious.Hill's side were happy to surrender possession and in Haynes and the excellent Davies, they had the attacking threat Forest so missed and the best two attacking players on the pitch.Davies should have headed them in front from Jacob Butterfield's inviting free-kick but was unable to get control of his effort and headed wastefully over from six yards.
Forest whose only half-decent strike towards goal before the interval saw McGugan shoot wildly over, had not scored on the opening day of the season since 2006 when Julian Bennett grabbed the winner against Bradford City.Thankfully, as uneventful a first half of Championship football likely to be seen during the entire season improved on the turnaround but the excitement was still relatively low-key.McGugan almost broke the deadlock but he bobbled his effort just wide of the left-hand post following some neat build-up play involving Paul Anderson on the right.At the other end Nathan Doyle looked certain to head the visitors in front when he burst into the penalty area but Chris Cohen did brilliantly to ease the midfielder out of the way and he failed to connect with a teasing centre.Davies also tested home goalkeeper Lee Camp in the second period after a good solo run but the visitors settled for a point as Forest pressed forward in the closing stages.