‘Absolutely first class’: Billy Davies loved one Nottingham Forest player who would play anywhere

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Billy Davies had been discussing his favourite Nottingham Forest players from his two spells managing the club. The fiery Scottish incumbent enjoyed two spells at the City Ground with a different level of success.

It’s been a long time since Davies worked in football management. Since he was sacked in 2014, the man who also managed Derby County has not been given another position.

Davies was a fine manager in fairness. During his first tenure, he got the Reds playing some lovely football and he led Forest to successive play-off campaigns – albeit unsuccessful ones.

After leaving in 2011, following defeat to Swansea in the play-offs, Forest scratched around looking at other options. None proved good appointments and Davies was back in 2013.

This time he came with more baggage than usual. Forest didn’t fire under Davies on this occasion and injury problems coupled with the manager falling out with seemingly everyone saw him depart in 2014 after a 5-0 defeat to Derby.

Davies raves about Forest favourite Chris Cohen

This week, Davies was interviewed about his time in management and Forest came up. He was quizzed on the players he enjoyed managing the most and naturally, Cohen came up.

Very few have a bad word to say about the man who served Forest with distinction, playing 303 times. He’s now trying to prove himself as a coach in his own right and Davies was a huge fan during his time at Forest.

The 59-year-old the Unsung Sport Podcast: “At Forest, we had Chrissy Cohen, left-back, left-midfield, outside left, outside right, centre-back, centre-forward, he’d play anywhere! But I’ve got to say, Chrissy Cohen was absolutely first class.”

Forest should have found a role for Cohen

We said on these very pages yesterday that Forest should find something on the coaching staff for Cohen. He understands the culture at the club and he’d jump at the chance to return to Forest.

However, that opinion was more in optimism than realism and it’s likely that Cohen will wait for Nathan Jones to get back into work. He’s a trusted lieutenant of the Welshman and the Millwall job looks like one he could be about to take.

It’s not surprising to hear Davies rave about Cohen from his time at Forest. He always gave his all and cared deeply about producing the goods for the football club.