THE Billy Davies effect should inspire Nottingham Forest's players to victory at Bristol City tomorrow.
The return of the Scotsman for a second spell in charge at the City Ground has inspired a positive response among supporters.
But, while the majority of fans have welcomed the man who took Forest to consecutive top-six finishes back with open arms, caretaker manager Rob Kelly believes it should also be a lift to the players.
Six of the current squad were at the club when Davies was last in charge, before his departure in the summer of 2011.
But Kelly believes the entire squad will have a point to prove to the new boss, who will watch from the stands when the Reds take on Sean O'Driscoll's Bristol City tomorrow.
"The players have a new manager to impress, they will want to be catching his eye," said Kelly.
"That will be an added motivation. But just three points alone should be enough motivation.
"We want to win and we want to put on a performance.
"We are still within touching distance of the top six, that is a motivation, but so should the desire to impress the new manager."
Since his departure, after two-and-a-half seasons at the club, Davies has always maintained he has unfinished business at the City Ground.
And he repeated that message when he was unveiled as the new manager yesterday.
"It is a privilege and an honour to be back in charge of the Reds," he said. "My tenure at the City Ground was cut short last time and I can't wait to get my boots back on and training the lads.
"We have a great squad and I know I can get the best from them. Coming home to Forest is a dream come true.
"I have unfinished business here at Forest and am relishing this great opportunity to return Forest to its former glory."
The trio of players who have recently signed new, long-term deals – Dexter Blackstock, Chris Cohen and Radi Majewski – all played under Davies previously, as did Lewis McGugan and Guy Moussi.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, meanwhile, was coming through the ranks when the former Preston and Derby boss was at the helm.
Davies is not the only familiar face to return, with Ned Kelly returning as deputy manager and Julian Darby and Pete Williams also rejoining the coaching staff.
Davies' first match in charge will be the visit of Bolton in eight days time.
