STUART Pearce believes Nottingham Forest's firepower will only get more potent as the season goes on.

The Reds boss saw Michail Antonio and Chris Burke both net fine goals on their debuts, to help him to a 2-0 win to mark his return to the City Ground as manager. While £5m striker Britt Assombalonga already looks to have forged a dangerous partnership with another of the club's new signings, former Hull forward Matty Fryatt.

Pearce admitted his one disappointment was that Forest did not push for a third goal, to really kill off Blackpool.

But he was very pleased with their overall performance on an emotional afternoon at a packed City Ground.

"We scored two outstanding goals," said Pearce. "It is never easy when the goal is gaping like that and Antonio did fantastically well with that strike, for the first goal. Then Burke was just outstanding all day. His movement was very good and that is as good a finish as we are likely to see.

"That partnership up front showed positive signs as well, the two of them did very well together. Britt was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, as was Matty, as well. They will improve.

"On occasion we might play just one striker up front. But they worked well together, they are intelligent footballers. They want to work hard for the team.

"Going out and really nailing the opposition by getting that third goal – that would be the one thing we were probably lacking. Keeping possession of the ball – we might have moved it a little bit quicker. But fatigue played a part in that.

"We have been trying to impart how I want the team to play, with energy and with pressing. We have the players who can pass the ball around, there is no question of that.

"But we need the players to know exactly what we want. I think, because of the pre-season, the injury situation and the signings coming in, it has been a little bit touch and go.

"Credit to the players, because they put a good performance on against West Brom in the final friendly and our performance against Blackpool in the first half and some of the second was very good.

"Looking back now, that is how it seems – that we had won the game at half time. But when you are in the dressing room at half time, the one thing you fear is complacency. If it had been a boxing match, Blackpool would have won the second half, I think."

Pearce was also respectful of the opposition on Saturday, with Jose Riga's side pushing them hard in the second half, when they produced a performance that was better than you might expect from a side that had, very literally, been thrown together at the last minute.

Blackpool barely managed to field 11 senior players, with a bench including three youngsters and a back-up keeper, following a remarkable summer stand-off between the new manager and the club's owner, over their transfer policy.

"Given the situation and the way they played, it is great credit to them. It was probably the worst possible preparation that a team could have. I would not have said that before the game," said Pearce.

"We had two new players coming through the door on Thursday and it took us time to integrate them. They had more to deal with, but still managed to make it tough for us. They outplayed us at times, in the second half. The situation just might galvanise the club to get a few results, in the long run. They are in the scenario now, where everyone has something to prove, contractually.

"I have never seen a situation like it in my time in football, particularly at Championship standard. It is very unusual. To win a game and keep a clean sheet on the first day of the season – I know how difficult that can be. We played very well in the first half, against a team that has had a very fragmented pre-season.

"But their manager has done an outstanding job to galvanise the team in the way that they have and they made it very difficult for us, particularly in the second half. We tired a little bit after the break. But we will come on after that and we are very pleased overall."

1. MRH Nuthall Road, Nuthall Road, Aspley. 125.9p

2. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford. 126.7p

3. Asda Hyson Green, Radford Road, 126.7p

4. Sainsburys Castle Boulevard, Castle Bridge Road, 1269.p

5. Morrisons Gamston, Gamston District Centre, 126.9p

1. MRH Nuthall Road, Nuthall Road, Aspley. 128.9p

2. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford. 129.7p

3. Asda Hyson Green, Radford Road. 129.7p

4. Morrisons Gamston, Gamston District Centre. 129.9p

5. MPK Carrington, Hucknall Road, Carrington. 130.9p

A mixed bag of sunshine and showers is in store for Nottinghamshire over the next few days.

According to the Met Office, heavy midday showers will give way to clear and sunny skies later in the afternoon today, with temperatures reaching as high as 19 degrees Celsius.

Tomorrow is expected to be more cloudy with rain breaking through in the afternoon, while Wednesday and Thursday will feature light rain showers at times.

For the latest weather updates, visit nottinghampost.com/weather

POLICE have released images of two men they would like to speak to about a theft in West Bridgford.

Items including CDs, loose change and an iPad were stolen from a car parked in Boundary Road overnight between Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6.

There were a number of thefts from vehicles parked in the area that night which are thought to be connected.

The first male is believed to be in his late teens to early 20s, is of slight build and has fair hair. He was wearing a grey coloured tracksuit and white trainers.

The second man is thought to have long hair and was wearing a dark grey hoodie and dark trainers.

If you recognise these men, contact police on 101.

REGARDING your story about buses terminating in Beeston being unable to use the new tram-bus interchange, I must express my disgust that Beeston will not be having such an interchange point in the centre of the town (due to the fact that there's no room for the bus station to remain in its present position).

Where on earth in Beeston can there be found a suitable place without starting to knock more of the area down to "make room"?

In 1952 I used to live in a small village between Southwell and Newark which had a bus service every two hours – is that what we can expect to return to 62 years later?

I assume this is what may happen, as the NET will make it so unviable for the buses to continue running except at a loss, that they will gradually cease.

This will make the tram the only other mode of transport, as taxis or cars, will be forced off the roads due to congestion. Also our bus passes will probably be a thing of the past.

So now up to ten buses an hour which terminate in Beeston will be forced to use a new loop, as the bus-tram interchange does not have enough space for them to turn in. No wonder it has been described as "sheer lunacy" by one councillor.

This is a real shambles, like building a house and getting all the walls up and finding the room measurements are incorrect. Sheer fiasco!

BRENDA HANNAM

Andrews Court

Beeston

AFTER scooping £13,000 on a television game show, a dad-of-two from West Bridgford says his dream would be to open a pop-up cinema for his local community.

Paul Reaney, pictured, 44, took home a hefty sum after appearing on BBC1's National Lottery: Break the Safe on Saturday night.

Paul and his sister Nicola were pitted against two other couples in a series of general knowledge quizzes.

After casting aside their rivals, the pair then went on to "break the safe" as a clock counted down the time.

Speaking after the show aired, Paul said he was still trying to see whether spending the cash on a pop-up cinema would be feasible.

He said: "I absolutely love films, so would love to hire out West Bridgford community centre and hire a cinema standard projector and speakers .

"If we could make it work, it would be great to show films every few months. I think the community would love it. I'm still trying to cost it all up, but it's something I'd love to do."

Paul watched Saturday night's pre-recorded show at home with his family, including his mum Irene and dad Derrick.

He added: "We hadn't told mum and dad that'd we'd won, so it was really tense. The room erupted when we won!"

Snapewood: Lee Jepson, 34, of Spindle Gardens, denied assaulting the same female in The Meadows on July 18 and on August 4. Magistrates remanded him in custody until August 28.

St Ann's: Anthony Powis, 34, of Hungerhill Road, pleaded not guilty to using threatening behaviour toward two policemen in Bulwell on March 21. He is on bail to attend a case management hearing on September 30.

Newark: Dean Rogers, 33, of London Road, was bailed after allegedly visiting a woman in Newark on August 2 and August 4 while banned by a restraining order. His case will be heard at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on September 1.

Carlton: Duane Chambers, 27, of Station Road, pleaded guilty to assaulting a female in St Ann's on April 1 and May 2. He has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court to be sentenced on September 17.

Eastwood: Julie Shaw, 45, of Princes Street, has been found guilty of using an uninsured Ford Focus in Nottingham on September 7 last year. She was fined £150 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £30. Six penalty points will be endorsed on her licence.

Ilkeston: Dale Stark, 45, of Hallam Fields Road, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and assaulting a police sergeant in Sherwin Road, Stapleford, on January 21. He was fined £150 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £50.

Newark: Ashley Clausen, 31, of College Close, Newark, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention in a Ford Transit van on the A1 South Cromwell on January 7. His case has been adjourned until September 5.

FOR most of us, Christmas isn't even on our radar – but some card shops are making sure they are well prepared.

Stores such as The Card Factory and Clinton's are already stocking Christmas cards, more than four months before the big day.

Customers are now faced with rows of cards featuring the nativity scene and Santa.

Some even feature fields covered in snow as temperatures rise outside.

Shoppers say the decision is "ludicrous".

Peter Wilkinson, 63, of Castle Donington, said: "Christmas just seems to get earlier and earlier every single year – I just don't think it's necessary.

"I think selling them after Christmas, when people want to pick up the sale things, that's fine – but not in August.

"I'm a typical bloke so I always do my Christmas shopping last minute, but I'm sure my wife won't start looking at Christmas cards until at least November time."

Patricia Sharp, 59, of Bulwell, agreed, saying: "It's ludicrous – we haven't even got over summer yet! You might start thinking about booking your Christmas parties around now, but I don't think you need to be buying Christmas cards yet."

But 25-year-old Norah Alhwoaimel, who lives in the city centre, said she would be tempted to start buying her Christmas cards early.

She said: "Some shops increase their prices round Christmas, so if it means getting them cheaper, then I would definitely think about getting them now."

The Card Factory in the Victoria Centre was busy finishing off its display on Saturday.

Staff there say they have already sold some cards and expect to continue doing so up until Christmas. The store on Exchange Walk was due to put its display up today. But one card shop bucking the trend was Scribbler on Bridlesmith Gate. They won't be putting festive cards on their shelves until the end of November.

Shop assistant Emma Bamford said: "We're always one of the last shops to put out our Christmas cards as we don't want to force it on our customers.

"It also means we can keep more of our every-day occasion cards on display for longer, which tends to be what people are buying at the moment.

"We never get people complaining that we don't have them in until November, so I don't think we're losing out."

OVER the past 15 years, the World Wide Robin Hood Society has been collating a wealth of information about Robin's impact.

And the sheer scale, extent and diversity of the areas and issues that the Robin Hood legend has managed to embrace are quite staggering. They range from the academic, historical viewpoints of the American University of Rochester's digital Robin Hood Project, to the simple down-to-earth enjoyment of 'The Green Velvet Outlaws of Sherwood' – a women's 'Rapper Sword' dance team, who enter traditional folk dance competitions.

There are big corporate organisations like New York City's charitable Robin Hood Foundation, medium ones like the Robin Hood Flour Company in Ontario, and small enterprises like the tiny launderette in Florida that bears his name.

In Spain's Lloret de Mar, there's a Robin Hood Fun Pub, at the Walibi Holland amusement park in The Netherlands you will find a Robin Hood Rollercoaster, there's a Robin Hood Land in Donnerswachbald, Austria... the list just goes on and on and on.

Town planners seem to have a particular fondness for Robin, from Logan City in Queensland, Australia, which has roads such as Friar Street and Sheriff Road, to Kingston-on-Thames where there are lots of Robin Hood-themed roads despite there being no real connection to the outlaw.

There is a big housing estate in Tower Hamlets called Robin Hood Gardens.

Transport holds an attraction as well, with a railway line, airport and at least one ferry bearing the Robin Hood name.

Commuters have been warned that there is heavy traffic northbound at the Blyth South Junction on the A1.

The delays have been caused by a large quantity of wooden palettes blocking the road.

Traffic has been reported on the A1 between Nottinghamshire and Blyth.

A missing Bilborough teenager has been found "safe and well", more than a week after she disappeared. 

Police carried out street searches and door-to-door inquiries after Ghounsia Kanwal, 14, failed to return home on Saturday August 2.

The force also made an appeal to anyone who may have been "helping" Ghounsia by giving her food and shelter. 

She was found on Sunday August 10.

Nottinghamshire Police have extended their thanks to everyone who helped in the search for Ghounsia.

STUART Pearce had jokingly warned that, while he would be excited internally, to the watching world he might look as though he was asleep as he made his return to the City Ground. His focus, he said, would be on the job.

But it was hardly surprising that there were a few cracks in the stoic demeanour of the returning Reds boss, as the capacity home crowd provided a rousing welcome that shook the foundations of the famous old ground.

Even Pearce looked a little emotional, albeit only in fleeting moments.

A pre-match salute towards A-block was slightly reserved. When he repeated the gesture after the final whistle, there was less restraint, as he furiously pumped his fist in their direction, as three points were celebrated on Trentside.

"I thought the reception was a bit shabby, to be fair. I hope that, next time we play at home, they liven up a little bit more and give us a bit more of a vocal shout," said Pearce. "Of course I am not serious.

"It was fantastic. My relationship with these fans… I am not sure there is any other footballer in history who has had a reputation like this with supporters, over decades, if we are honest.

"I was delighted and proud to walk out at the helm of this football club. It was an enjoyable day and I just hope that, now we have the three points we can carry on and build our momentum."

But, while fans made it perfectly clear how passionate they are about seeing the former defender return to the club, Pearce says there is also the same passion in the dressing room, when it comes to making the club a success.

"It is vital that we have that support," he said.

"But I have some outstanding professionals in that dressing room, both in terms of talent in terms of caring for this club.

"In this day and age, there is a perception in football that players do not care and managers just come and go.

"For the supporters to look at the fella at the helm caring about the club and the players caring about the club as well – along with the owner – that is exactly what I would want to see, from the people who represented my club."

There was no doubting Pearce's influence on the side, in a physical sense as much as an emotional one.

Six new signings made their debuts as Blackpool were swept aside in a first half display that had three points effectively secured before the interval – and all of them played integral roles.

But none more so than the two most recent additions, Michail Antonio and Britt Assombalonga, who added a vital commodity to the side that had been missing last season – pace.

"It definitely added something to the team. When I was looking at things from afar last season, you could see that pace was the issue. Too many people were happy to come to the ball," said Pearce.

"You have to put the opposition on the back foot a little bit. We have got intelligent passers of the ball at this football club.

"We also have the clever movement of Assombalonga and Matty Fryatt, along with Chris Burke and Antonio.

"Antonio may be a little bit hit and miss. But he is a powerful kid and he will frighten the opposition.

"We brought him here because we felt he would score goals as well and he has opened his account already.

"Why did we take Antonio off? He said he wanted a cocktail… no, seriously, he was fatigued.

"He looked a little tired. He has only just come through the door and that emotion that comes with joining a new club can drain you. He was out on his legs."

Chris Burke also played a starring role, conjuring up a goal that would have been quality at any level of the game, killing off the match after Antonio had demonstrated his predatory instincts five minutes before.

And Pearce hinted that both players could be involved again when Forest travel to Tranmere for a Capital One Cup clash tomorrow night, with the manager having no plans to field a weakened side.

"I don't work like that. I will pick what I think is my strongest team, a team I believe will go and win the game. I have got to take into consideration a few players – people like Chris Cohen who played the best part of 90 minutes on Saturday, who are coming back from an injury," he said. "I have a duty of care for players like that.

"But, in the main, I want to put my strongest team out. I have been brought up, when I played for this club, to make sure that you try to win every competition you enter.

"I have seen Tranmere in pre-season, I jumped in the car and had a look at them – and I know they are a good side.

"We will have our work cut out, if we do go there half cocked.

"I would prefer to have been drawn at home, because it will be a difficult game at Tranmere.

"I want to win the tie. I have seen them, they are a good side and if we are not at it, we will get beaten."

If nothing else, at Prenton Park, it will be a little quieter when Pearce emerges from the tunnel.

Part of Nottingham's Broadmarsh Centre was flooded on Sunday.

Standing water was left in the square area outside Argos and BHS following torrential downpours.

On Monday the area was fenced off despite the water having gone.

Johnnie's Cupcakes stall, which is just next to the area, was not allowed to use electronic devices, which included the till machine.

Stacey Wilkinson, a member of staff, said: "We are having to do everything manually as we can't use the electrics."

The centre was one of many affected areas across Nottinghamshire on Sunday, with flooding widespread because of the bad weather. 

CONCERNS have been raised that lives are being put at risk at a "dangerous" junction in Nottingham city centre.

Many drivers travelling down Huntingdon Street, towards the Capital FM Arena, are turning right into Beck Street – even though it has been changed into a "no-right-turn" junction.

When they do so, they are driving through a pedestrian crossing, which is on green for those who want to cross the road.

Many say it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

Last week the Post spent 90 minutes at the junction – and spotted 26 cars making the right turn.

After arriving at 9.25am, it was just five minutes before a car made the illegal manoeuvre. For the next hour and a half, car after car sped through the crossing – and on a couple of occasions, people walking across Beck Street had to run out of the way. Steve McComish, director of London PR, which has its Nottingham office in Beck Street, said he had seen a number of near misses over the years.

He said: "I've nearly been run over myself a few times.

"The other day I was walking past and five cars just went straight across the crossing, one after the other. It's a daily occurrence and I often find myself having to break into a jog when I'm crossing because a car is turning in."

Mr McComish said he thought the junction was confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with Nottingham's roads.

He said: "I definitely think there could be better signs. The council needs to do more about it as eventually someone is going to get hurt."

Robin Pounder, who works in nearby Broad Street, said he too was concerned by the junction. He said: "I see it happening all the time. All it needs is for few extra signs to go up to make sure it's clear."

A member of staff at Antenna, whose offices are on the corner of Huntingdon Street and Beck Street, added: "Just the other day I saw someone nearly get hit when a car turned in.

"It's definitely a problem and I'm worried that someone will be seriously hurt if something isn't done about it."

Nottingham City Council says it is aware of the problem at Beck Street – but believes the road signs are clear.

Steve Hunt, head of traffic and safety, said: "We are aware that a number of drivers are deliberately breaking the law and turning right into Beck Street.

"We are absolutely certain that the signage in the area is adequate, in fact it goes above and beyond the statutory requirements for a junction like this. Unfortunately, the police are the only ones who have the power to enforce this restriction outside London.

"There is no other practical solution available to us because making changes at that junction would lead to traffic congestion and delays, while removing the pedestrian crossing is not a satisfactory solution. We will therefore continue to lobby the Government for better enforcement powers."

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "Ignoring a no-right turn is selfish and could be dangerous, especially to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists."

NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Stuart Pearce revealed he cleared the air with Fawaz Al Hasawi before his side swept Blackpool aside, joking: "We had a little kiss and a cuddle."

And he hopes the club's owner will continue to back him in the transfer market.

Pearce saw Al Hasawi for the first time since the controversial sale of Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles to Newcastle on the opening day of the season at the City Ground.

And just 90 minutes after they cleared the air Pearce was punching it in delight, after seeing his side win 2-0 in the Championship.

"I saw him before the game and we had a little kiss and a cuddle. So that was fine," joked Pearce (pictured).

"I also aim to grab him again now, because there are one or two things that we need to chat about, in terms of player signings, going forward.

"But there is nothing contentious. I must say he looks very trim. He has had a good pre-season."

Pearce says the club, who spent £7m to sign Britt Assombalonga and Michail Antonio last week, must look to press on with more new additions – although that may not happen before they face Tranmere in the Capital One Cup tomorrow night.

"I don't know if there will be more business this week. But I will speak with our chief scout, because I know the areas we need to strengthen. Between now and the window shutting, we still need to strengthen," he said.

"I would not say anything is close at this moment in time, but we do need to improve the squad. That is for sure. I am very pleased with the business we did on Wednesday (signing Antonio and Assombalonga).

"We have had backing from the chairman when it comes to the bids we have put in and the players we have brought through the door.

"Am I reasonably content at this point? Yes I am. Do we need to have a better squad to go forward and challenge over the months? I think we do."