Nottingham Forest 3 Crystal Palace 0: On-loan Owls striker Tudgay helps Forest to extend unbeaten run

The Reds had not played a game for almost three weeks due to the weather, but goals from Luke Chambers, debutant Marcus Tudgay – on loan from Sheffield Wednesday – and substitute Garath McCleary secured a comfortable win.

Davies said: "I was concerned before the game in view of the amount of time we've had without a match but we changed our training with that in mind and it worked out well.

"Palace made it very difficult for us and it was important that we got the first goal and went on from there. We scored three very good goals and the only pity was that we were not even more clinical."

Forest may have stretched their unbeaten run at home to 29 matches but Davies still wants to add reinforcements when the transfer window opens in a fortnight.

"It was a very important three points for us," Davies said. "We've kept our long unbeaten home run going and we are sending our fans into the Christmas period happy. It was a nice gift for the supporters.

"But they know and we know that there is a long way to go this season and now it's important that we look forward to the January transfer window and then act quickly. Speed is of the essence to get new blood in and settled in as soon as possible."

Davies was able to give Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey a late run-out as he continues to build up his fitness following last season's horrific broken leg.

The Welsh youngster is on loan at the City Ground until January but Davies would like to keep him longer. "I didn't start Aaron Ramsey today because he has to be handled carefully," said Davies.

"But he's had another week's training behind him and I am sure he will make a big contribution for us. I would love to extend his loan period."

Palace remain in the bottom three after a fifth straight defeat on the road and manager George Burley felt they shot themselves in the foot.