AFTER Neil Warnock pulled out of the running to become the new manager of Nottingham Forest, who else could succeed the sacked Billy Davies?

Here the Post looks at eight possible contenders who could enter the running for what is a huge job in English football. Below is a description of each of the candidates and at the bottom of this page you have your chance to vote for who you think should be the Reds next manager. And for those that cannot make their mind up we are offering a dream team option of Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough.

STUART PEARCE... odds: 3/1

Forest legend, fiercely committed and knows the city and the club inside out having spent 12 years at the City Ground.

In an interview he did with the Post back in November, he said he would love to return to the club as manager.

Has been out of work since leaving the England Under-21s.

NIGEL CLOUGH... odds: 20/1

The Sheffield United boss has done a fine job at Bramall Lane. Being the son of Forest legend Brian Clough he will always be linked with the post.

Trying to lure him away from the Blades would be difficult given he has an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon. Could well be a summer option.

ROY KEANE... odds: N/A

The Irishman has a role with the Republic of Ireland alongside Martin O'Neil and is highly regarded at Forest.

Whether he would want to ditch his job remains to be seen. Took Sunderland into the Premier League so CV certainly stands up to scrutiny. A strong character and hugely passionate figure.

STEVE CLARKE... odds: N/A

Clarke was assistant to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool before moving to West Brom where he did an exceptional job in his first season by finishing eighth.

However he was sacked last December after going four games without a win but some felt dismissal was harsh.

Described as one of the best coaches in the country following his work at Chelsea.

ROBERTO DI MATTEO... odds: 12/1

The Italian said in an interview last week he was ready to return to management after being sacked by Chelsea.

Won the FA Cup and Champions League with the Blues before leaving in November 2012. Would be a huge statement of intent if appointed.

MALKY MACKAY... odds: 6/1

Did a wonderful job with Cardiff before his relationship with owner Vincent Tan turned sour.

Led the Bluebirds to the Championship title last season just a few months after taking them to their first ever League Cup final against Liverpool.

But a legal dispute with Tan could prevent him from taking the job.

GARY BRAZIL... odds: 18/1

Impossible to ignore given he has been given the job in a caretaker capacity.

Has amassed a fine reputation as a coach having worked in the Premier League with Fulham's academy, and has experience from time managing Notts County.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA... odds: 9/2

Came so close to taking Watford into the Premier League until they were beaten by Crystal Palace in the play-off final last season. Resigned from his position last December after a wretched run of form.

Italian still has a lot to prove in management, but name carries plenty of star quality.

TWO down, one to go and then talk of great escapes will no longer be in the realms of fantasy.

Until then everybody at Notts County will have to keep their emotions in check, because football has a nasty habit of killing hope just when you think you've cracked it.

The fact Shaun Derry and his players have engineered themselves into this position is a testament to their desire and the league table now looks much healthier than it did a week ago.

What was a five-point gap to safety is now just two thanks to this 3-1 win which was owed to a ruthlessness seldom seen this season.

A double from Ronan Murray and Gary Liddle's header sealed the victory over Crewe for Notts, who claimed their second three-point haul in three days.

With Colchester to play at Meadow Lane at the weekend, a third successive victory will leave the Magpies in a fantastic position to retain their League One status.

More performances like this will certainly strengthen their cause as they refused to buckle under the importance of the occasion against a Crewe side in real trouble themselves.

Notts certainly showed no signs of being manacled by fear as a bright move in the opening minute ended with Jimmy Spencer driving a shot over the bar from long range.

Crewe have fashioned a reputation for playing slick football over the years and the legacy of Dario Gradi, the man who preached pass and move, was clearly being continued by his successor Steve Davis.

The speed of their response made the ball a blur as it found its way to Abdul Osman on the edge of the box whose shot failed to match the beauty of the approach as it careered over the bar.

Notts' riposte was swift and it was decisive. A free-kick won by Murray was left to Alan Sheehan whose delivery was only cleared to the edge of the area for Jamal Cambpell-Ryce.

The former Jamaica international surged past his man, stood-up a cross to the back post where Gary Liddle, craning his neck, delivered a wonderful header into the far corner.

The small band of Notts fans housed in the away end found their hymn sheets before a chorus of "we are staying up" punctured the crisp night air.

Their confidence was being replicated where it mattered most as the visitors, clearly buoyed by their magnificent win over Carlisle, were playing with a swagger.

They almost doubled the lead in the 30th minute from a move which underlined Derry's wish to utilise the strength of Spencer.

A long ball from Sheehan ended with the striker fending off a challenge with the ball falling to Ronan Murray whose snapshot from 20 yards was an inch the wrong side of the post.

Notts still kept coming, this time through Grealish, whose mesmerising feet, hypnotised a Crewe line into a standstill.

His left-foot shot took a deflection, but from the following corner Notts could not make the set-piece count.

A tackle by Liddle on Matt Tootle left the defender in a heap as Crewe players reacted furiously.

Tempers also became frayed in the dugout which underlined just how important this game was to both sides.

Eventually order was restored and the tete-a-tete actually seemed to work in Crewe's favour as they applied their first real bit of consistent pressure.

A Chuks Aneke volley was off target as Notts attempted to see out the remaining minutes of the half.

There was no doubt Derry would have ordered the same level of commitment after the break and his players duly obliged.

The excellent Campbell-Ryce, who was brilliant both offensively and defensively, burst into the area but nobody could convert his cross shot.

Crewe, frustrated at their inability to construct any decent chances, kept trying to play their football but as the tension grew, misplaced passes were regular.

However, in the 74th minute, Osman unleashed a 30-yard drive which looked destined for the top corner until Bartosz Bialkowski flung himself to his left to tip it over the bar.

Mark Ellis then glanced a header wide of the far post from a corner as the Railwaymen tried desperately to get themselves on track.

But with ten minutes left, Notts made it 2-0 with a super goal.

Murray's run from a deep-lying midfield position was spotted by Campbell-Ryce who played an inch -erfect ball into his path.

The Irishman took a touch and burst into the box with Jimmy Spencer sprinting into the box.

But Murray opted to go it alone and with a unerring left-foot drive, his shot flew into the bottom corner for his third goal in three games.

The former Swindon striker was not finished either.

With time running out and with Crewe pressing forward, a long ball over the top allowed Murray a clear run at goal.

Brimming with confidence, he applied a lethal finish.

Crewe fans vacated their seats as if there was a fire alarm and many were outside the stadium when Ellis scored a deflected effort, but it wasn't enough to ruin a glorious night at Gresty Road.

Man of the match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce: The winger created the first goal, but he stuck to his defensive duties brilliantly and helped out his full-back Curtis Thompson no end. A truly excellent performance.

Ref watch: Seb Stockbridge: Had a fairly decent game and refused to be swayed into giving Gary Liddle a red card when Crewe began a melee to make the tackle appear much worse than it was.

Crewe: Garratt, Tootle, Ellis, Dugdale, Osman, Pogba, Inman (Waters 84), Guthrie, Evans, Aneke, Ikpeazu (Leitch-Smith 74). Subs: Phillips, Mellor, Ray, Nolan, Oliver.

Notts: Bialkowski, Sheehan, Liddle, Grealish (Grealish 58), Mullins, Spencer (McGregor 90), Murray, Campbell-Ryce, Thompson, Vela, Hollis. Subs: Smith, Leacock, Spiess, Boucaud, Dixon,

Attendance: 3,895 (359 visitors)

VICTORIA Park has not been used to this. 'Yellow, yellow, yellow', came the cry as out poured the home support.

Hartlepool United had won their last three matches on their own turf, keeping a clean-sheet in their last five.

Mansfield Town brought an end to that run, and they did so in superb style.

Safety is now firmly within the Stags' grasp as a James Jennings' double, plus efforts from Matt Rhead and Jamie McGuire clinched the points.

At the tenth attempt, they had finally won a midweek match.

An injury to Ryan Tafazolli meant there was an enforced change to the Stags starting line-up, with the defender having suffered a blow to the foot in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Chesterfield.

Boss Paul Cox opted not to risk the 22-year-old ahead of the final run-in, bringing Ritchie Sutton into the back line.

The defence certainly had their work cut out, with the physical presence of Marlon Harewood and the fast feet of Luke James posing a double threat.

For the most part, the visitors managed to contain them in the first 20 minutes as both sides enjoyed spells of possession without really carving out an opening.

The danger Pools posed though, was clear.

They may not have forced Alan Marriott into too many saves early on, but they looked lively nevertheless, with Jack Barmby pulling the strings, playing just behind the front two.

More than once, the teenager tried to pick his way through a sea of yellow, and he almost created a fine chance for James with 11 minutes on the clock.

Barmby's perfectly-weighted through-ball sliced open the defence, with his team-mate put clean through on goal. James tried to take the ball around Marriott, but in doing so, went too wide and took it out of play.

That came after a speculative long-range effort from Harewood had cleared the bar as Hartlepool tried to force a breakthrough and served a warning notice to their opponents.

Mansfield though, did plenty of running of their own; and, ultimately, they were the ones to make it count, with 20 minutes gone.

Lee Beevers' cross was headed on by Rhead and bobbled into the path of Jennings, who slotted home from close range.

That unnerved Pools. There was a few hairy moments at the back as the Stags tried to press, with Ollie Palmer taking the opportunity to make some probing runs and Rhead making a nuisance of himself.

It looked promising for Mansfield – an edgy crowd contributing to the sense of unease around the ground.

Eight minutes later however, and Hartlepool were level.

Barmby did all the hard work, weaving his way through the defence as he forced his way into the box.

His ball in pinged its way around, before Harewood clinically finished off from a few yards out.

If the equaliser came somewhat against the run of play, Pools quickly grasped the initiative and began to apply the pressure.

Rhead sent a snapshot wide of the post, but most of the play came down the other end of the pitch.

A minute before half-time, Colin Cooper's men had a chance to take the lead when Sutton felled Michael Duckworth in a crowded penalty area.

Referee Garry Sutton pointed to the spot and Harewood grabbed the ball.

The big front man's shot, however, although powerful, was straight down the middle and Marriott successfully blocked.

A let off then, for the away side, who would have been happy to go into the break all-square.

Any hope the interval would upset Hartlepool's rhythm was extinguished seven minutes into the second half when they took the lead.

Jack Compton's pass found James, and he made no mistake from just outside the area with a fine strike which flew into the net.

Mansfield continued to battle, and Cox made changes to help them in their quest, sending on Sam Clucas and Lindon Meikle.

The visitors certainly looked the brighter for it, getting their rewards with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Christian Burgess was penalised for a foul on Palmer, and Jennings dished out the punishment. It may not have been quite what he intended, but his free-kick out on the right floated straight into the top corner, with the defender tweaking a muscle in the process.

The goal sparked Cox's charges into life, and they went desperately close to regaining their lead, with Meikle forcing a save out of Scott Flinders and Palmer rattling the woodwork from range.

It was all set for a frantic finale, and we definitely got that.

Ten minutes from time, Beevers' right-hand cross reached Rhead and his header somehow escaped Flinders and found the net.

Then, in added time, McGuire added a final flourish to the scoreline, rolling the ball beyond the Hartlepool keeper from inside the box.

HARTLEPOOL: Flinders; Richards, Collins, Burgess, Holden (Jones 65), Walker, Duckworth, Compton (Poole 62), Barmby, Harewood (Sweeney 63), James. Subs not used: Rafferty, Franks, Rowbotham, Hawkins.

MANSFIELD: Marriott; Riley, Dempster (Meikle 58), Sutton, Beevers, Howell (Clucas 58), Murray, McGuire, Jennings, Palmer (Speight 82), Rhead. Subs not used: Clements, Westlake, Daniel, Stevenson.

ATTENDANCE: 2,976 (128 away).

MAN OF THE MATCH: James Jennings: Would have been harsh to give it to anyone else given that his goals made the big difference. Had little impact other than that, but in the right place at the right time for his first, and curled in his free-kick delightfully for the second goal.

REF WATCH: Garry Sutton (Lincolnshire): Penalty decision was pretty much the one big call he had to make. Difficult to make a judgement without seeing a replay, as Ritchie Sutton's foul took place in a crowded area, but there was plenty of protest from the visitors about it.

THERE may have been a change in manager at Nottingham Forest, but the challenge remains the same.

Whoever does end up being the permanent successor to Billy Davies, has some work to do to revive the Reds play-off hopes, which were eroded a little more on a frustrating night at the City Ground.

Charlton claimed a 1-0 win on a night when a Forest side still robbed of key players failed to lift themselves out of the downward spiral that had begun under the Scotsman.

On another night, this was a match Forest might have won, had they made more of a handful of goal scoring opportunities.

But, with a ninth game notched up without a win, they now have eight games left in which to revive their fortunes.

Reading's slip-up at the hands of another of the Championship's strugglers, Barnsley, ensured Forest remain only two points off the play-off places still.

But there was still a mood of discontent among Forest supporters at the final whistle, which was greeted by a chorus of jeers.

Off the pitch, there was a mood of intrigue around the City Ground, as thousands of eyes scanned the directors box in search of a familiar face or two, when it came to possible managerial candidates.

There was no clear sight of the likes of Gianfranco Zola or Glenn Hoddle, the two men regarded as the front runners for the position, following the decision by Neil Warnock to turn down the job.

When Al Hasawi emerged to take his seat, he was warmly applauded by the Forest fans however. It did not feel quite like a pat on the back, but perhaps a suggestion that many felt he had made the right decision, by swinging the axe on Sunday evening.

Davies would not have been in the dugout, even if he had still been in a job, after seeing his touchline ban upheld.

But the man who took his position in the technical area is a different character to the Scotsman, a more considered, calm and composed figure.

Gary Brazil has had two spells in the dugout on the opposite bank of the River Trent and he stood, almost a permanent fixture on the edge of the technical area, taking in the action. The entirely empty dugout behind him told it's own story.

What the head of the Forest youth academy – and now caretaker boss of the senior side – witnessed in those opening exchanges may have left him with mixed emotions.

The defensive frailty that had been evident in the 5-0 drubbing against Derby still made the occasional, fleeting, nerve inducing return. But, at the same time, in the first half hour, Forest had mustered as much attacking threat as they had during 90 minutes of what proved to be the Davies swansong.

Brazil had made three changes to the side and a significant one to the formation, with Greg Halford, Djamel Abdoun and Darius Henderson all drafted in, amid a more orthodox 4-4-2 approach.

It was Astrit Ajdarevic who threatened to ensure the script to the first chapter of life without Davies did not have the opening that the Forest fans wanted, as he flashed a shot across goal and wide.

Jamie Mackie, attacking a cross from Abdoun, sent a powerful header spinning narrowly the wrong side of the post, as Forest's attacking width benefited them for the first time.

But Reza Ghocochannejhad offered a reminder of Charlton's own attacking menace, as the visitors began with confidence – as he fizzed another effort just a few feet wide of the post, from the edge of the box.

It felt as though the big moment had come when Gonzalo Jara, playing in midfield, won a big challenge to retain possession, before feeding a simple, but well-judged pass to the feet of Henderson.

All of a sudden the striker had a few yards of space inside the box and he took full advantage by hitting an almost instant shot that, just for a moment, seemed bound for the bottom corner, before curling just wide.

Charlton's response was again direct and dangerous, with Jordan Cousins making swift progress down the left before picking out a fine pass that left Marvin Sordell with a clear shooting chance, which he fired under the body of the swiftly advancing Karl Darlow – and against the foot of the post.

As half-time approached, Forest found a cohesive moment again, to carve out their second good opportunity, as Henderson's clever chest down to Simon Cox and the striker's own intelligent dummy combined to afford him the room to flash a shot towards the bottom corner, forcing an alert save from Ben Hamer.

The moment seemed to lift the levels of belief in the Forest ranks and, in injury time, they were cruelly unlucky not to secure the advantage.

Abdoun, one of the players restored to the side, fed a delicious pass into the path of Cox, to send him scampering through on goal. He looked to have done everything right as he lifted a shot over the onrushing Hamer, but saw his effort bounce back off the post.

As Cox clutched his head in despair, Mackie collected the loose ball and crossed it back into the danger zone, where Henderson forced a smart save from the keeper with a crisp header, with Hamer at full stretch to flick the ball over the bar.

The second half began with Danny Fox and Abdoun combining well down the left side, with the full-back's dangerous cross winning a corner. Fox then fired in another dangerous ball from the flag kick, with his cross cleared, almost off the line.

Henderson's height was a threat up front, with the big striker then sending in a looping header, from just inside the box, that Hamer had to punch out of play nervously.

Forest made a change with Cox appearing to have collected an injury, with Jamie Paterson coming on to replace him.

When Lawrie Wilson pushed forward down the right, his deep ball found Cousins at the far post, where he lifted a great chance high over the bar.

Henderson's last act was a smart turn and a less impressive shot that flew high over the bar, before he was replaced by Rafik Djebbour. Fox, who was having a far, far better game than he had done at Derby, then came close to making himself a hero with a bending free-kick that zipped past the post.

Djebbour's first act was to send a looping header onto the roof of the net, as Forest continued to build a little pressure. While Forest's other sub, Paterson, was a lively figure.

When he won a corner Fox bent in a crisp delivery into the centre, where Jamaal Lascelles had a header cleared off the line.

It was, therefore, against the run of play when Charlton took the lead in the 81st minute. Substitute Jonathan Obika thumped a shot against the foot of the post, following a lightning quick counter, but the ball fell perfectly for Cousins, who side-footed into the exposed net from 12 yards.

Forest threw on Matt Derbyshire as a final throw of the dice, but they had no clear opportunities to salvage a point.

Forest: Darlow, Halford, Lascelles, Collins, Fox, Mackie, Greening, Jara, Abdoun (Derbyshire 88), Cox (Paterson 52), Henderson (Djebbour 67). Subs: Evtimov, Harding, Majewski, Gomis.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Dervite (Wood 45), Jackson, Poyet, Cousins, Ajdarevic (Fox 90), Ghoochannejhad, Sordell (Obika 60). Subs: Thuram-Ulien, Nego, Green, Pigott.

Attendance: 17,951 (258 away)

Referee watch – Andy Haines: It probably says much that the referee had little impact on the game. Assured and unfussy.

Man of match – Danny Fox: His best performance in a Forest shirt, just a few days after he had produced his worst. Strong in defence and dangerous with his delivery into the box, whether in open play or from set-pieces.

FEW outside their locker room gave the Nottingham Panthers a prayer of winning a fifth straight Challenge Cup – but they pulled out an incredible performance to halt the seemingly unstoppable Belfast Giants juggernaut.

Trailing the runaway Elite League champions 5-2 from the first leg in Northern Ireland, the Panthers went into the game at the National Ice Centre saying all the right things.

However, few in a raucous crowd would have predicted what was to follow as they won 5-1 on penalties on the night, 7-6 on aggregate.

First period goals from Lynn Loyns and Petr Kalus sparked belief and though that was briefly quelled by Jeff Mason's goal, Panthers were right back on it as Eric Werner also scored in the second period.

Giants were still a goal ahead at that point, but Matt Ryan drew Panthers level with their third power play goal of the night after 48.06.

With the volume turned right up Panthers took it all the way to penalties and there was only one goal as Kalus beat Stephen Murphy.

Craig Kowalski saved from Jeffrey Szwez, Kevin Saurette and Craig Peacock after Werner missed for Panthers.

The home players rushed the ice to mob Kowalski who soon had the fans chanting his name a night after signing a new contract.

There was a big surprise before face-off as Panthers were able to announce a healthy scratch with star centres Brandon Benedict and Matt Francis returning from injury, although neither was 100 per cent.

Triple player of the year award winner Benedict had played just three times since January 30 due to injuries, while Francis had missed the previous two games.

Lynn Loyns switched from defence to offence, leaving Panthers light at the back as they chased the three-goal win.

D-man Brent Henley completed his three-match suspension. Forward Joonas Saari had to be left out with the return of two imports.

Having their key duo back made all the difference to Panthers as they were brilliant in the first period, particularly on power plays as they scored twice.

Giants were penalised for having too many men on the ice after 3.31 and the home side pounced brilliantly. Weaver drilled in the puck from the point and though his shot was saved, the Giants failed to clear their zone as Loyns was able to swivel and slot in past Murphy after 4.07.

The goal was greeted by tremendous noise and as the fans began to believe, Corey Neilson's men grew stronger.

There were still moments of danger as the Giants kept Kowalski honest, forcing him to make a good save from Darryl Lloyd and an outstanding one from Evan Cheverie.

Panthers were soon back in the ascendancy, Leigh Salters putting Calvin Elfring in his place with an absolutely massive hit around the ten minute mark.

Their second power play goal came at 15.28 after Lloyd had been on the receiving end of a soft looking interference call.

A fantastic flowing move saw Greg Jacina work the puck to Ryan and he played it back for Kalus to beat Murphy from just outside the crease.

To get a third goal before the buzzer would have been incredible and it almost came with two seconds left as Panthers, again on the power play, fired just wide of Murphy's goal via Ryan.

Giants were always going to come out firing after being rattled so severely in the opening period. They forced Kowalski into a couple of early saves before earning another power play, which was less threatening than previous ones, although Robert Farmer and Ryan both had shots saved by Murphy.

Belfast were level on the night, 6-4 up on aggregate, after 26.53 as they scored from a spell on four on four hockey.

Francis appeared to have done nothing wrong when both he and Saurette were given two minutes for roughing.

The goal came when Chris Higgins did well to make room for a shot which Mason deflected in from just to the left of Kowalski's goal.

The game opened up a little as Kalus forced the puck through the crease and Mark Garside saw a shot saved.

It was 3-1 on the night on 35.38 as Salters got free down the left. His shot lacked power but when Murphy failed to cover Francis prodded it back for Werner to fire into an empty net and move Panthers to within a goal.

It could have been all square soon after, but Murphy redeemed himself with a good save from David Clarke.

Steve Lee took a holding penalty at 37.19 as he hauled down Keefe, preventing what would have been a massive breakaway chance. Panthers killed the penalty.

Into the third and Panthers were on the wrong end of another harsh call, this time on Benedict for tripping. They almost suffered heartbreak with eight seconds of the penalty left, only for K-Wall to deny Lloyd with a big save.

That proved crucial as Higgins was sent to the box after 48.06 and eight seconds later it was tied up on at aggregate at 6-6 when Ryan smashed in a bullet that rippled into the far corner of the net.

The noise in the NIC was deafening as Nottingham almost went in front when Lee's shot evaded a nervy Murphy and hit the post.

Then with 26 seconds to go Farmer broke away and forced Murphy into a save with his skate as it went to overtime.

There was a huge chance for Jacina 1.13 into the added five minutes, but he was denied, although Belfast picked up a penalty for hooking him back.

Giants survived and almost won it when Robbie Sandrock came out the box but Kowalski stood firm to send it to penalties – and the rest is history.

FAWAZ Al Hasawi plans to meet with Gianfranco Zola and Glenn Hoddle to discuss the prospect of one of them becoming Nottingham Forest's next manager.

Speaking to the Post last night, the Reds' Kuwaiti owner confirmed that both men are on his City Ground shortlist, following the sacking of former manager Billy Davies.

Al Hasawi said the club had already spoken with the agents of the former Watford boss Zola and ex-England manager Hoddle.

And he added: "Both are very good managers, we will have to see them. We will see their plans for the remaining games."

In a candid interview, Al Hasawi said he had no choice but to sack Davies, for the sake of the Reds' fans.

He talked of how much it "hurt" to lose to local rivals Derby County on Saturday.

"Derby wanted three points from the start," he said. "It was as if we were playing against Barcelona, not Derby, we might lose to them, but not 5-0. It really hurt me.

"I decided to make the change after the Derby game. We were really poor. I felt sorry for the fans. They deserve better than that."

The Reds' owner said he still believed Forest could finish in the Championship play-off places, although the team slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic last night.

The owner said he would take advice from newly-appointed club ambassador and Nottingham Forest legend John McGovern in choosing his next manager.

More than 20 potential candidates have been suggested for the vacancy.

Among fans the most popular choices include ex-Forest captain Stuart Pearce, former Cardiff City manager Malky McKay, and Nigel Clough, who is currently the manager of Sheffield United and poised to take that club to an FA Cup semi final at Wembley.

In a poll of more than 2,000 people at nottinghampost.com yesterday, Pearce received 600 votes, Mackay 574, and Clough 297.

In comparison, Zola received 134 votes.

Glenn Hoddle emerged as a surprise favourite with bookmakers yesterday afternoon, with some even making him odds on to take the job.

Meanwhile, 200 Post readers said they would like to see a "dream team" pairing of Pearce and Clough.

The pair played together in one of Forest's most successful teams between 1985 and 1993.

Reds fan John Bestwick, 37, Swanwick, said: "Pearce and Clough are the dream combination. Never has one man demonstrated such a passion for our great club as Pearce. And the name Clough will forever be associated with us.

"The passion generated by these two could not be matched by any other managerial appointment."

But while the dream team would have pleased the romantics among the Reds faithful, it now looks extremely unlikely.

FAWAZ Al Hasawi has responded to claims he interferes in football matters at Nottingham Forest, saying: "I am chairman and owner full stop."

The Kuwaiti has spent millions on bringing players to the City Ground, but he insists he has never told any of the former Reds managers who to play or how to play.

And he is adamant he won't start now, as he looks for a new manager for the club, after sacking Billy Davies.

Al Hasawi has revealed both Gianfranco Zola and Glenn Hoddle are on his shortlist for the top job, after Neil Warnock turned it down.

It is Warnock who has sparked talk about Al Hasawi's role by intimating he rejected the chance to succeed Davies because he would not be able to manage the club in the manner he would like under the current regime.

"Previous managers know me very well, I never interfered in their job," said Al Hasawi.

"I never told them what to do or what to play. Sometimes I shared things together with them – that doesn't mean you are interfering.

"If you say an opinion, does that mean I am interfering. It's not, it's only my opinion.

"If I say 'why we don't play this player or that player', it's just opinion. In the end, it's his call. He's fine with it, but I never interfere or blame the manager for not doing this or that. Never.

"Otherwise, why should I bring in a manager, I will be the manager!

"I am director of football for seven years, I used to be a player in Kuwait. I understand football. Maybe I should save the club £1million and be the manager.

"With all respect for Neil Warnock, I never interfere with the manager's decision. The manager will say 'yes' or 'no', not Fawaz."

The Reds lost 1-0 against Charlton at the City Ground last night under caretaker boss Gary Brazil.

And Al Hasawi says Brazil will have the opportunity to prove himself – and that he had little choice but to make a managerial change following the humiliating 5-0 defeat at Derby and the seven games without a win prior to it.

"If Gary's performance is good maybe we carry on with him – if we see the right manager, maybe we sign with him two or three years," he said.

"It was game after game the same performance, that's why we needed the change.

"We were going lower and lower, there was no improvement, I don't want to repeat the same mistakes.

"We still have a chance of the play-offs, but I didn't want to risk it. If we can win six games between now and the end of the season, we can do it."

Brazil is also likely to be in the hot-seat at Ipswich on Saturday.

"He might be in charge until the end of the season, or the two or three games coming," said Al Hasawi. "But we are seeing people."

"John McGovern is our ambassador and he will advise me what to do."

IT may have been a chilly night down by the banks of the Trent but there was a warm glow of optimism in the air.

As thousands of Nottingham Forest supporters stood huddled among the maze of hot dog and burger vans they discussed who should scoop the top job at the club following Billy Davies' sacking.

Popular suggestions – which were mentioned in the heated debates outside the City Ground ahead of the team's crucial match against Charlton – included Forest legends Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough, with hopes that the pair may even form a dream management team.

Fifty-one-year-old Sean Kelleher, of Doncaster, who has been a Forest supporter since 1977, believed the collaboration would be the stuff that dreams were made of and bring some much needed pride back to the club.

He said: "Stuart Pearce is one of the best players the country has ever seen and Clough, well he was the second-highest scorer for the club and his father was a legend – they are both Forest legends and I think it would inject some much-needed pride back into the club to see them working together.

"We have our statue of Brian Clough outside the ground and it's time we started to create new legends. Bringing in Pearce and Clough would bring some heart back to the team, and they actually know about football."

Joe Timmins, who is a supporter of 40 years, agreed that a partnership between the two would prove a positive move for the club.

He said: "The two have both shown they have metal and they would be an asset to the whole club.

"The club needs to reassess and start looking to the future, and these both have a lot of experience."

Despite being the bookies favourite, and apparently a target for Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, the Post found little support for former England manager Glenn Hoddle among those we spoke to.

One fan, Carol Dyson, 56, of Derby said: "The world is our oyster now and I don't think Hoddle would be the best choice, we need to take advantage of this chance to change."

Meanwhile, Alex York, 26, of Newark thought Malky Mackay, former Cardiff City manager, would bring a more refreshing way of playing.

He said: He plays great football, which to me means keeping possession and trying to get results. He would bring a different way of play here – a more positive one."

Who do you think should get the job? Get in touch: Newsdesk@nottinghampost.com