FOREST legend Roy Keane and Champions League winner Roberto Di Matteo will top Nottingham Forest's list of targets after they took the shock decision to sack manager Sean O'Driscoll.

The Reds parted company with O'Driscoll last night, at a surprising time, in the aftermath of a 4-2 win over Leeds United that left them within touching distance of the play-offs.

The club's Kuwaiti chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi says they now want to appoint an ambitious manager with Premier League experience.

Keane, who made his name at the City Ground as a midfielder before moving to Manchester United, was at the game yesterday and is also understood to have been at Vicarage Road to see Forest lose to Watford on Saturday.

The Irishman has been out of work since leaving Ipswich in January 2011 but his Forest past may work in his favour, while he also has top-flight experience with Sunderland.

But Di Matteo could also be a strong contender, with the Al Hasawi family understood to be attracted by the prospect of having a Champions League winning manager in charge.

The 42-year-old Italian was sacked by Chelsea only a month ago, after making a stuttering start to the Premier League campaign. But, having steered the club to success over Bayern Munich at the end of last season to be crowned champions of Europe, he left Stamford Bridge with his reputation enhanced – and with Blues fans sad to see him go.

Di Matteo also has experience in the Championship, having guided West Brom to promotion into the top flight – and he also finished third in League One in his only season at MK Dons.

But Keane, 41, also has a promotion on his CV, having steered Sunderland into the top tier of English football and is also firmly in the running, while former Manchester City and QPR boss Mark Hughes is an outside candidate.

Keane's long-time assistant Charlie McParland was also a popular figure at Forest during a brief spell in charge alongside Frank Barlow, when the duo almost guided the club into the play-offs in League One.

Forest will make a swift appointment, as they are eager to give the new man the opportunity to work in the January transfer window, with chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi revealing this was a key part of the decision to part company with O'Driscoll.

"We feel we have developed a really strong squad of players but are still searching for consistency in terms of team performance, underlined by the fact that we have not won more than two games in succession in the Championship this season," he said.

"And with the January transfer window approaching, we feel it's the right time to make a change. We are looking to bring in an ambitious manager with Premier League experience."

O'Driscoll was only appointed in July and had lost just six of 24 Championship matches so far this season, leaving them one point off the top six. His side yesterday produced an outstanding performance, led by two goals from Billy Sharp, in a 4-2 win over Leeds.

But, within hours of the final whistle, Forest were looking for a new boss.

ANTHONY McInerney, 58, of Stanley Street, Ilkeston, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was in a white Volvo in Loughborough Road, Ruddington, when he was caught over the limit on December 5. He had 49 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. Magistrates in Nottingham fined him £200, a victim surcharge of £20 and court costs of £85. He was banned from driving for three years. No separate penalty was imposed for driving without a licence, which was also admitted.

YVAN Pennant, 18, of Prize Close, Clifton, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in Nottingham in September. Magistrates in Nottingham granted him unconditional bail to appear on January 8.

DANIEL Phillips, 22, of Chantry Close, Newark, denied assaulting a female in Newark on October 7 this year. After the case was heard at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was granted conditional bail to appear for trial on February 22.

AARON Head, 21, of Villa Street, Beeston, pleaded guilty to assaulting a male in Nottingham on December 6. Magistrates will hear his case on January 7. They granted him conditional bail.

MARTIN Lynes, 43, of Mulberry Gardens, Bulwell, is to have a trial charged with three allegations of theft. He is alleged to have stolen male fragrance, Baileys Irish Cream, a hot chocolate gift set and alcohol in Bulwell on December 4. He was granted unconditional bail at Nottingham Magistrates' court, to return on February 22 for his trial.

KEVIN Priest, 30, of Mill Lane, Sandiacre, denies two charges of theft. He denied stealing household items from Ikea in Giltbrook on December 15. He further denies stealing 23 different household items, to the value of £509.95, from the store on December 16. Magistrates granted him conditional bail to return to the court for a trial on February 28.

JUSTIN Weedon, 29, of Pedmore Valley, Bestwood Park, denies assault and criminal damage. He allegedly assaulted a female and damaged a door frame on December 16 in Bestwood Park. Magistrates in Nottingham remanded him in custody until December 27.

RHODRI Williams, 35, of Wainfleet Court, Arnold, has been charged with three offences. He denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, possessing cannabis and outraging public decency. The offences allegedly happened in Aspley on August 31. Magistrates in Nottingham granted him unconditional bail to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on January 18.

IVAN Taggart, 48, of Lawrence Avenue, Colwick, has been fined £60 for driving without due care and attention. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he had driven on Colwick level crossing in a Ford Focus on August 21. After pleading guilty on December 18, he received the fine and was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £40 costs. He will also receive three penalty points.

EAMON Turner, 49, of Bonds Close, Ilkeston, denies theft of a jacket in Nottingham on December 17. He is on conditional bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court for his trial on February 15.

A MAN called Mr Number One VIP, 47, of Haywood Court, Sneinton, is to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 29. He denies the harassment of a Police Community Support Officer between January 22 and May 11. It is alleged he rang, text and made sexual remarks and suggestions. He also denies that he harassed a female by pestering and making unwelcome comments toward her in Nottingham between September 1, 2011, and May 15, 2012. He is on conditional bail.

Saturday, March 17, 2012, Mansfield Town 7, Barrow 0: It was a match during that stunning run of 13 wins and a draw from their last 15 matches where everything just clicked for the Stags. Barrow did not know what had hit them, with Mansfield 4-0 up by the break. Louis Briscoe bagged a hat-trick and Anthony Howell, Lindon Meikle, Matt Green and Matt Rhead all got in on the act at the One Call Stadium.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012, Mansfield Town 2, Lincoln City 1: It only happened earlier this month but with so much at stake, this was a night to remember. After a 3-3 draw at Sincil Bank, Lincoln visited for the replay with both sides knowing victory would set up a third round FA Cup clash at home to Liverpool in the new year in round three. And, in front of a bumper crowd and the ESPN cameras, the Stags held their nerve as John Dempster put them ahead, only for former Stag Adam Smith to equalise. But in the 77th minute, Louis Briscoe fired the winner to seal that dream tie. The final whistle even sparked the, now, obligatory pitch invasion from supporters to show how much the victory also meant to them.

Monday, May 7, 2012, Mansfield Town 0, York City 1 (AET) (2-1 on aggregate): Play-off fever had gripped Mansfield and after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, 7,295 fans flocked to the One Call Stadium with the majority hoping to see the Stags book a date in the Wembley final. A return to the Football League was within touching distance but a goalless 90 minutes led to a nervous period of extra time. And Mansfield hearts were broken in the 111th minute as Matty Blair fired the winner for York, before Stags full-back Ritchie Sutton saw red. Boss Paul Cox was in tears, as was his players and some supporters. The dream of promotion for the Stags was over, at least for another season that is.

Saturday, October 6, 2012, Cambridge United 4, Mansfield Town 1: It was a thumping defeat but it was the manner of it, some two months into the season, that hurt most. The Stags, who had been struggling away with previous 4-1 defeats at Gateshead and Grimsby, simply crumbled and offered no fight on the road. Boss Paul Cox was fuming afterwards as Jake Speight's goal proved mere consolation, after finding themselves 4-0 down in less than a hour of the league contest. However, in their next outing on the road, against Workington in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, they would get a rare away win, seeing off the Blue Square Bet North side 2-1 to boost the team's confidence and send them on their way to eventual tie with Liverpool.

REMARKABLY, Mansfield Town will kick off 2013 in a similar, if not better, position than they began this year.

And, when you recall what has taken place in the last 12 months, it has been an eventful year in north Nottinghamshire.

Back on New Year's Day, the Stags were seven points off the play-offs in the Blue Square Bet Premier after 26 matches, with 20 still to play. At present, they are six points of the top five after 21 matches – and with games in hand on a lot of their rivals.

But what was to follow at the start of 2012 was a remarkable run that catapulted Paul Cox's side into third place in the standings.

By the time they had swept aside Kidderminster 3-0 on the final day of the season, they were 13 points clear of the Harriers, who finished in sixth, just outside the play-offs.

The stunning run started following defeat to Newport on February 18, when they embarked on an unbeaten run that went into the play-offs.

Cox always talked about coming around the bend into the new year, into the business end of the campaign, in good form.

And his side gelled, as he brought in the likes of trusted striker Matt Rhead, who had continued playing part-time while working at JCB.

In fact, in their last 15 games, Mansfield won 13, drew one and lost just the solitary game.

And all four points dropped out of a possible 45 came against eventual champions Fleetwood, drawing 1-1 at home and losing 2-0 away.

Also, in their penultimate match against Wrexham at the One Call Stadium, in front of the Premier Sports cameras, goalkeeper Alan Marriott scored with a huge punt downfield from his own goalmouth.

It was a remarkable achievement from the veteran and a highlight of the year.

But the real business was to follow with the play-offs and a two-legged date with York City.

Given the Stags' form and their best finish during their four seasons in the Blue Square Bet Premier, there was plenty of optimism around.

In fact, the 89 points they gained was 27 more than any other season and a great return for Cox in his first campaign in charge, after joining the previous summer from Eastwood Town.

But 30-goal top scorer Matt Green was sent off late in the first leg, in a match drawn 1-1 – with Ross Dyer getting the Mansfield goal.

The game made the news for other reasons, as chief executive and then fiancee Carolyn Still, now wife, of chairman John Radford was arrested outside the ground for using threatening words and behaviour and given a police caution.

But the much-anticipated second-leg at the One Call Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, with a final at Wembley at stake, did not go to plan.

A nervy, cagey affair went to extra-time and the Stags lost 1-0, the game ending with skipper Adam Murray and boss Cox shedding tears.

But once the dust had settled, expectation levels had never been so high as Cox penned a new two-year deal and went about building a big squad.

In came experienced players like George Pilkington and Jamie Tolley, as a 30-man squad was assembled.

But the season started with a 4-3 home defeat to Newport and then 4-1 thumping at Gateshead a few days later.

And while the home form was rectified – the Stags had not lost since the opening day prior to Boxing Day's match with Alfreton – away they failed miserably.

They suffered 4-1 defeats at Grimsby and Cambridge and a 2-0 reverse at Dartford as the fans started to turn on Cox and his side.

In the end, Cox culled his big squad with players like Gary Roberts, Pilkington, Jamie Hand and Tolley all axed as he looked to create a tighter, close-knit changing room.

Another low was November's replay defeat to Matlock in the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, but that was the only defeat in an 11-game sequence in all competitions, prior to facing Alfreton this week in the league.

In the league, the Stags were slowly getting themselves in position, gaining just a second away win in the league at Macclesfield, winning 3-0.

And in the FA Cup, they saw off Workington, Slough and then Lincoln in a pulsating replay to book a place with Liverpool in the third round in the new year.

It was a great way to close out a rollercoaster year, with fans queuing around the stadium in the pouring rain to get their hands on tickets for that match, which has sold out.

That will ensure the first week of 2013 goes off with a bang.

But when it comes to the league, the Stags are well placed, as the start of 2012 proves.

There have been highs and lows, but next year should prove to be just as much of a ride.

Maybe, just maybe, the Stags could be in the Football League come this time next year.

I'm sure that will be a wish many Mansfield fans are making on New Year's Eve – that and beating Liverpool of course!

A "MAJOR player" in supplying party drugs has been jailed for four years.

Anthony Dexter was caught with the rave drug NRG2, ecstasy tablets, amphetamine and the so-called "date rape" drug GHB after police raided his house in Stanton Road and a second property in Wood Street, both in Ilkeston.

Officers also found cannabis growing at the houses in March this year.

Nottingham Crown Court was told that the drugs could have netted the 24-year-old up to £23,000.

Dexter pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Derby Crown Court to nine charges of possession with intent to supply class A, B and C drugs, production of a controlled drug and abstracting electricity.

At Dexter's sentencing hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, Adrian Reynolds, in mitigation, said that his client turned to drugs after the breakdown of a relationship.

TWO people have been arrested following a Boxing Day house fire.

The fire broke out in Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, at about 3.40pm and paramedics treated one man at the scene.

A 45-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent and were questioned by police yesterday.

A spokesman from Notts Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival firefighters discovered a really small fire at the bottom of the stairs which was pretty much out then we got there. Someone had thrown buckets of water on it so we just made certain the fire was out."

The spokesman added an investigation had been carried out and concluded the fire had been started deliberately.

A resident who lives in Cinderhill Road, who asked not to be named, said the incident had caused long delays going in and out of Bulwell.

"There were three fire engines and two police cars all parked near the mini roundabout so it was pretty much chaos," he said.

"I only popped out to go to Tesco but was stuck in the queue of traffic for ages."

Two fire engines from Stockhill fire station and one from Arnold fire station attended the fire. It took them about 30 minutes to deal with the incident.

Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the incident.

NOTTINGHAM Forest fans were stunned last night over the appointment of Alex McLeish as the new manager at the City Ground.

The club made the announcement just after 8pm yesterday and it came just 24 hours after the controversial sacking of Sean O'Driscoll.

Immediately following the news, supporters took to the internet to voice their concerns.

However, chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi insists the 53-year-old Scot is the right man for Forest.

He said: "I'm delighted to welcome Alex to our club and look forward to working with him. Alex has great experience of working in the Premier League.

"He's hungry for more success and I believe he's the man who can help us fulfil our ambition of making it to the Premier League."

McLeish made a name for himself as a manager with Glasgow Rangers and then with the Scotland national team in 2007, while he led Birmingham City to promotion to the top flight and to victory over Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final.

He spent last season managing Aston Villa, before losing his job, while he played for Aberdeen under Manchester United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson.

But he faces a big challenge to persuade the fans he is the right man for the job.

The Post ran a poll yesterday online, at thisisnottingham.co.uk, asking fans who they wanted as the new manager and out of more than 1,200 people who voted, only one per cent said McLeish.

Furthermore, within five minutes of the decision being announced, the Post's Forest reporter, Paul Taylor, had received more than 200 messages on Twitter from fans – and only four were positive about McLeish's appointment.

Season-ticket holder Andrew Cove, 32, who now lives in Leamington Spa, said: "I am disgusted by the last 24 hours. I would have rather been underwhelmed with Sean O'Driscoll than suffer the new manager's brand of football."

Ruairi Cullen, 23, of Musters Road, West Bridgford, said: "It is a safe pair of hands but I don't think it is inspirational for the Forest faithful."

Sat Beri, 23, of Longlands Drive, Edwalton, added: "The board have lost the goodwill they built up. I am disappointed and feel let down. I thought O'Driscoll was the man to take us up and now I am looking in the opposite direction."

NOTTS County are not on the slide, says Alan Judge.

But he has warned the Magpies must start turning draws into wins.

Notts slipped down to tenth place in League One, after being held to their fourth successive away league draw at Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day.

It was their fifth draw in seven league games in total – and Judge said: "That's too many.

"I want to win every game and so does everyone else.

"We never go out and sit back for a point like some teams, we always go out and attack.

"We've been in good positions in a couple of those games so it's frustrating we've not won them.

"But if you look at it, we're still only three points off the play-offs so I'm pretty confident and I'm looking forward."

Judge set up both of the Magpies' goals in their 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury in front of his family, who flew over from Ireland and were in the away end. Notts led 2-1 until the Shrews scored a freak equaliser on 81 minutes.

"It's hard to take because we absolutely batter them and yet we've come away with a draw," added Judge.

"It should have been a win, we should have won easily.

"They had one shot in the first half and scored and their second goal wasn't even a shot, it was a cross!

"It was like we'd lost in the dressing-room after the game.

"No one can say we didn't play well, I think it's the best we've played for quite some time.

"We scored two goals and you'd think that would be enough."

IT'S stood at the heart of Nottingham for more than 100 years and provides millions of visitors every year with their first impression of the city.

And since October, workers have been busy giving Nottingham Station its first major facelift since being rebuilt in 1904.

When completed, it will be home to a new £60 million transport hub, which bosses behind the scheme claim will be the country's best example of a transport interchange outside of London.

Station managers are also confident, once completed in 2014, it will be able to cope with an expected increase in the seven million passengers a year and 200 passenger trains a day which currently pass through.

For John Hartley, who is project manager of the station redevelopment for contractors Taylor Woodrow, 2013 promises to be a busy year.

He said: "It's nice to be playing a part a scheme that will have a big contribution to the city."

Since a temporary ticket office was constructed and opened in Station Street in October, work has been progressing on demolishing the old travel centre and part of the former British Transport Police offices.

The covered area where the station's main taxi rank and drop-off area was situated off Carrington Street – known as the porte-cochère – is also being revamped.

It will eventually become a fully enclosed area, with existing archways glassed off and four new retail units constructed.

A further two retail units are planned in a new southern concourse off Queens Road, while two existing Pumpkin cafes on the platforms will also be revamped.

Mr Hartley said construction workers are busy installing a new concrete floor in the porte-cochère.

He said: "We're taking the old road surface up and will then dig down as we need to find out the condition of the old bridge structure underneath.

"We will then resurface it and be finished in spring time. We will then clean the ironwork and repaint it, and reglaze the whole roof.

"That's a big undertaking, but it will be a lot brighter."

The restoration work of the station's frontage is also due to begin in the new year, with the help of local firms including Beech Restoration.

Scaffolding is due to be put up in the coming months so that experts can clean and replace any brickwork.

Mr Hartley said: "What they will be doing is making the terracotta in exactly the same way that it was made originally, using handmade moulds.

"Cleaning will make a massive difference. It will look incredible.

"Graffiti is a real challenge because it soaks in to the brickwork, but we'll persevere."

He added: "It's a Grade-II listed building.

"Its painstaking work to improve the brickwork, which is in a variable state of repair.

"It needs some restoration and it's important that the history of the building is retained.

"It's incredibly complex and very much a joint effort between ourselves and East Midlands Trains.

"By taking possession of the main station buildings it's enabled us to work on a much larger section of the station more quickly."

Construction workers will also start working around the clock on the redevelopment works in the new year.

Platforms will be revamped, with a strip of glazing set into the canopy to bring natural light on to the platforms.

Platform 6, which is currently exposed, will get a canopy, while a new platform will also be created between the existing Platforms 4 and 5.

Andy Moore, head of stations for East Midlands Trains, said: "Apart from the resignalling works next summer, the station will always be available for use.

"Resignalling will give us a much better operation flow.

"It allows us better flexibility to operate, meaning the station will run a lot better."

One of the most eye-catching aspects of the works will be the creation of a new tram viaduct running over and across the station's platforms.

Part of platforms 4 and 5 is currently closed to allow for the construction of the foundations for the viaduct.

Gazing out at the work from atop the station's multistory car park, Mr Hartley said: "The main big bridge element will start being pushed across from the side of Queens Road in mid February."

A WOMAN who could have been made homeless without the help of a Nottingham charity has welcomed news it has raised £18,000 this Christmas.

Framework launched its appeal just seven weeks ago, reminding people that homelessness is something that can happen to people from all walks of life.

It is something that Rosaleen Clarkin, 50, from Mapperley, is only too aware of.

After her partner and then her best friend died she lost track of her finances and, after falling in arrears, she was threatened with court action.

She was told about Framework and assigned a support worker, who helped her through the court process, negotiating a repayment scheme that prevented her losing her home.

Today, more than a year later, she does not believe she would be where she is without the help of the charity.

"It makes such an enormous difference," she said.

"When you sit down and think about what Framework does – not many organisations help people in such a way.

"Nottingham stands out because of Framework – it's a pity we don't have Framework all over the country."

Ms Clarkin said she is delighted by the support the charity has received since it launched its Without Framework I Would Be Homeless campaign and is urging people to continue donating into the new year.

Last year the charity helped more than 1,400 people to avoid the immediate threat of homelessness.

Michael Leng, Framework operations director, said: "When it comes to tackling homelessness, prevention is definitely better than cure.

"The emotional and economic costs of each case of homelessness are enormous for everybody involved.

"Homelessness is something that devastates families and ruins lives – it creates myriad social and health problems that can take many years and huge sums of money to rectify.

"For as little as £40 we can represent a vulnerable person in court and stop a repossession or eviction – we can then offer that person the help and support they need to remain in their own home.

"Christmas is traditionally a time where people stop and think of others and I am delighted that so many people have thought so deeply about the issue of homelessness."

To make a donation text ROOF13 £5 to 70070

THE number of people that attended Nottingham's accident and emergency department over the festive period is down on last year.

A total of 1,211 people went to the A&E department at the Queen's Medical Centre over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

This compares to 1,250 the year before and 1,417 people over the same three days in 2010.

Staff at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust said they are pleased that the number is falling and hoped people were getting the message that they should only attend the A&E department in the most serious of circumstances.

Mark Brassington, deputy director of operations, said: "The number of patients needing urgent care in our emergency department over Christmas was as expected."

There were 387 admitted on Christmas Eve compared to 420 in 2011; 370 on Christmas day compared to 373 the year before; and on Boxing Day, the busiest day of the festive period, there were 454 admissions compared to 455 last year.

Before Christmas the NHS advised people not to go to the emergency department unless they really needed to, and to use GPs and NHS Direct Centres wherever possible.

And as the QMC gears up for a potentially busy New Year period Mr Brassington said: "The people of Nottingham can continue helping us over the New Year by only coming to A&E if life-threatening or emergency care is needed.

"Those with minor illnesses and injuries are urged to seek help elsewhere."

The hospitals' trust gave the following advice for people who may have to seek medical help over the New Year:

Self care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries. A range of common illnesses and complaints, such as cough, colds, sore throats and upset stomachs and aches and pains can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.

NHS Direct provides a confidential telephone service, 24 hours a day, to give advice and guidance on health issues. Call 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk

Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints, without having to wait for a GP appointment or go to your A&E. To find your nearest pharmacist text 'pharmacy' to 64746.

If you have an illness or injury that wont go away, make an appointment with your GP. To find a GP text 'doctor' to 64746.

NHS Walk-In Centres along with minor injuries units and urgent care centres offer convenient access to a range of treatments for minor illnesses and injuries that don't need a trip to hospital. To find your nearest unit or centre text 'walk' to 64746.

NOTTINGHAM Forest legend Kenny Burns says the ruthlessness in Fawaz Al Hasawi's decision to axe boss Sean O'Driscoll could prove rash – or pure genius.

But he says the proof will be in the pudding and the only way the decision will prove the right one is if new manager Alex McLeish steers the Reds into the Premier League.

O'Driscoll was brutally given the boot by chairman Al Hasawi just hours after leading his side to a 4-2 win against promotion rivals Leeds at the City Ground on Boxing Day.

The former Doncaster boss took the reins in the summer at late notice and built a squad from scratch, following the takeover by the Al Hasawi family.

And he leaves the club just one point off the play-offs in the Championship ahead of hosting Crystal Palace tomorrow and, while stunned by the decision, Burns says it might still prove a brave, but correct one.

The two-time European Cup winner said: "By doing this, they have definitely shown how ruthless they are. But whether it proves rash or a great move, we will only know come the end of the season.

"I was totally stunned by the news, because I had watched the win against Leeds and they performed well overall and are just one point off the play-offs.

"But the Al Hasawis have now said they want promotion this season. They are obviously not very patient and have put a lot of money in and want an instant return, despite what they said in the summer.

"They feel they need a new manager before the transfer window opens and how much intent there is from them will be seen first by how much money they hand McLeish to spend in the transfer window."

Burns felt by this stage of the season, O'Driscoll should have been getting more from his squad on a consistent basis.

"I kept hearing all this about putting a new squad together, time to gel and not knowing his best team," said Burns. "But after 24 games, you should know that.

"Forest have some very, very talented players and the possession, total passing game sometimes did not work. It was too slow in terms of getting the ball forward, creating chances.

"Look at the Leeds game. For Sharp's second, it was a ball forward, flick on from Dexter Blackstock and then Billy Sharp shows his class to take it beyond the goalkeeper and score. It doesn't always have to be pretty, pretty with 30 passes.

"And I also feel the team plays too narrow, needs more width and that is something the new manager might want to add next month.

"But those are a few bug bears of mine throughout the season. However, O'Driscoll was doing a decent job and who is to say he would not have delivered promotion this season?

"Now, it will be a different way forward, but the sacking was a total shock. Had it happened after the game before following a poor loss at Watford, maybe it would not have been totally out of the blue, although still a shock.

"To do it after a good win, when the players and fans were on a real high, is a strange one. But it must mean they already had the new man lined up given there is a game tomorrow and another at Blackburn on New Year's Day.

"Come May, we will know whether sacking O'Driscoll was a ruthless act at the right time for the right reasons for the club. Or it will prove a kamikaze one. Only time will tell us the answer."

Burns feels the appointment of McLeish as the new boss will not go down too well with the Forest fans.

He added: "It is a strange one and I'm not too sure it will initially go down well with the supporters of the club, who are shocked to see Sean O'Driscoll sacked.

"He did well at Birmingham, where he took them up and won the League Cup, but his move to Villa never worked out for him.

"What can I say, football is a funny old game and things change all the time.

"But it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets at tomorrow's game.

"Hopefully it will be an appointment that works."

FLOOD waters receded on parts of the River Trent in Notts yesterday – although more heavy rain is forecast today.

The Environment Agency said flooding at locations including Sawley Marina and at the Newark Sugar Factory had receded as the river levels fell.

However flood alerts remained in place there and at the city's Queens Drive Park and Ride site, which is expected to remain closed today.

Flood warnings were also in force on the Trent at areas including High Marnham and Low Marnham, North Muskham, and Dunham-on-Trent.

The Met Office has forecast heavy rain in Nottingham today between 6am and 9am. The rest of the day will be cloudy and overcast, with temperatures reaching highs of 10 degrees centigrade.

Rain is also forecast on Saturday morning, with sunny intervals in the afternoon.

In the annuls of Nottingham Forest's history, 2012 will be remembered simply – as the most dramatic 12 months in the history of the club.

The nation's most creative soap opera script writers would struggle to come up with as many twists and turns in the plot that has been witnessed at the City Ground this year.

Some events have been only too real, with the death of Nigel Doughty, the club's dedicated long-term backer and owner, demonstrating that some things are, in fact, more important than football.

Doughty died on February 4, aged just 54, four months after stepping down as chairman of the club. The subsequent renaming of the club's training ground as the Nigel Doug hty Academy a fitting tribute to a man who poured his heart and soul into the club, along with a considerable amount of cash, in an effort to secure a return to the top flight.

Other events have been utterly surreal, with the arrival of rich Kuwaiti owners followed almost immediately by the sacking of one man, the failure to appoint another and finally the arrival of Sean O'Driscoll, as the man tasked with restoring the fortunes.

Having parted company so swiftly with Steve Cotterill in July, the clubs new owners, the Al Hasawi family, believed they had his replacement virtually in place, in the form of Mick McCarthy, the former Wolves manager.

But, when he backed out of the running, citing fears over potential interference, the club were left back at square one.

It can be argued that, having steered the club away from relegation in the most difficult of circumstances, Cotterill deserved a crack at the job when there was money to spend; when he would have been able to build a squad.

The year began, after all, with Cotterill making one decision that played a pivotal role in Forest's survival. Taking the huge step of selling Wes Morgan to Leicester, along with Patrick Bamford's move to Chelsea, provided the funds Forest needed to bring in new players on loan.

Adlene Guedioura was the pick of that group of loan signings and remains at the club now, while George Elokobi, Scott Wootton and Danny Higginbotham all had a part to play as Forest edged their way away from trouble.

There were low points, as well as high, amid Cotterill's tenure, with the Reds playing more than ten hours of football without scoring a goal at the City Ground at one stage.

But Cotterill's only task was to keep Forest out of League One and, when their form improved from mid-February, starting with a 2-0 win over relegation rivals Coventry, he began to guide them towards that.

A run of two defeats in ten games – a spell in which Forest collected 18 points – took them close to the finishing line and, while a home defeat to Bristol City had the nerves jangling in April, it was followed by a 1-0 success at Peterborough.

When Forest lost a battling game at Reading, it secured their opponents a place in the Premier League – and, despite defeat, Forest also knew they were safe from relegation.

There was even time for Cotterill to secure a 2-0 win over his former club Portsmouth on the final day of the campaign, as they too bowed out of the Championship.

But it was to prove to be the manager's City Ground swansong. He, along with club favourite Frank Clark, who had taken over as chairman when Doughty had stepped down, were both replaced once the Al Hasawi's arrived in a blaze of publicity in the summer.

At a press conference at the City Ground, the Al Hasawi family insisted they viewed Forest as a long-term project, that they had a three to five year plan to establish them as a Premier League club.

The first season, according to Abdulaziz Al Hasawi, would be one of consolidation. If Forest won promotion, then great. If they did not, they would work on achieving that goal next season.

After being rejected by McCarthy, the Al Hasawi's took a refreshing step, by asking the opinion of the Forest players.

And, when asked who they would like to see in charge, they were almost unanimous in their choice – O'Driscoll. Having made a fine impression as part of Cotterill's coaching staff, the players wanted to see him given a crack at the job.

They got exactly what they wished for and, while faced with the task of rebuilding the squad out of the ashes of a difficult summer – which had seen several players leave after seeing their contracts expire – O'Driscoll still managed to inspire an encouraging start to the campaign.

Forest's new-look squad claimed an opening day win over Bristol City and should have won at both Huddersfield and Bolton, following impressive performances – but had to be satisfied with draws.

At that point, an entirely new back four had been assembled, with Sam Hutchinson, Greg Halford, Dan Harding and Danny Collins all having joined the club, with Daniel Ayala to arrive on loan from Norwich soon after.

Forest, in fact, were to remain unbeaten in the Championship until late September, when they suffered a controversial defeat at Leeds.

In O'Driscoll, they appeared to have found a man who ticked all the boxes. He had experience at Championship level, he favoured the right brand of football, he was a thinker with a desire to install a long-term philosophy at the club.

His in-depth pre-match interviews, in which he would frequently offer lengthy insights into his blueprint for the future, suggested Forest were in good hands even if, on the pitch, they could not quite find the consistency they craved.

Forest would often demonstrate their abilities; their potential. But they also had the ability to frustrate.

Their best spell was a four-match run that saw them beat Peterborough, Cardiff and Barnsley, while drawing at Blackpool in between. But Forest are also yet to win three games in a row this season.

And, for all their successes, there were a few disappointments as well, most recently as fine wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves were followed by awful displays at Ipswich and at home to Hull.

A steady success over Burnley was then followed by a poor first-half performance at Brighton and a far worse display at Watford.

On the eve of that game, O'Driscoll had met with the Al Hasawi family and was told promotion was now the goal for the Reds. Having brought in 15 new players, the owners were looking for a more immediate return on their investment.

And, on Boxing Day, even despite a 4-2 win over Leeds United, they took the decision O'Driscoll was not the man to deliver that.

His departure and the subsequent appointment last night of former Glasgow Rangers, Birmingham and Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish ensured 2012 ended the way it had begun, with more drama and intrigue at the City Ground.

Mansfield will be without Ritchie Sutton when they host Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Grimsby.

The defender was welcomed back into the Stags' starting XI for the Boxing Day defeat against Alfreton, where he picked up his fifth yellow card.

That triggered a one-match suspension which is likely to see John Thompson, the man he replaced in manager Paul Cox's line-up, recalled once more.

Cox was angry with the defeat to local rivals Alfreton and could opt for changes with midfielder Adam Murray back in contention after shaking off a viral infection.

Defender Ryan Tafazolli is also nearing a return but striker Ross Dyer (knee) is unlikely to feature again this season.

Jake Speight and Matt Rhead could also come into consideration should Cox consider changes in attack.

Grimsby could elect to field an unchanged line-up.

The Mariners continued their fine recent form by beating Lincoln 4-1 despite being without Scott Neilson and Ross Hannah, who returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.

Bradford striker Hannah's nine goals in 14 appearances propelled Grimsby to the summit, yet they still managed to score four against the Imps without him.

Although Grimsby are hopeful of acquiring Hannah again at some point, Greg Pearson will lead the line for the time being.

Ian Miller should continue instead of Shaun Pearson at the heart of the defence, even though the latter is back from illness.

The Mariners are in fine form lately having won seven of their last nine in all competitions.