Gary Megson has warned his Nottingham Forest players they cannot expect to find a short-cut to success.

Forest are still looking to hit their stride in League One this term as they prepare for tomorrow's encounter with Barnsley at Oakwell (kick-off 3pm).

The Reds have recorded just two wins from their opening six League games and have slipped to three successive League and Cup defeats at The City Ground.

Megson maintains that hard work is the key to resolving Forest's problems and has put the players through their paces on the training ground every day this week.

"If it's shoe leather and hard work on the training ground that is needed, that's what we'll do," he said today.

"A day off for the players - or everything being nice - usually coincides with things going well on the pitch but it's not at the moment.

"We've got to get ourselves in a position where things are going well and then we can think about taking days off but not before."

Megson, meanwhile, believes his side must improve at either ends of the pitch if they are to live-up to their pre-season billing as favourites to clinch a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

"I don't think that too many people would argue that we're probably the best team in this division between the two 18-yard boxes," he asserts.

"Unfortunately, football matches are won or lost - and seasons are successful or disappointing - based on what goes on in both boxes.

"The goals we're conceding at the moment have to be seen to be believed and we're not taking enough of the chances that are coming our way."