Twelve months after the heartbreak of losing to Blackpool in the semi-finals, the east midlands club are challenging for promotion again.
Swansea stand in their way, with the first leg at the City Ground on Thursdaynight and the return game in south Wales on Monday.
It is 12 years since the two-time European Cup winners graced English football's top flight, where Davies insists Forest belong, and the Scot believes it is time for his players to "come of age" and deliver on the big occasion.
"My motivation - the reason I joined this club, this sleeping giant - is that Forest, clearly, belong in the Premier League," said Davies. "When I spoke to the chairman (Nigel Doughty) about taking this job, we agreed that, over a three-and-a-half-year period, our joint challenge would be to get this club into the Premier League. That is why I came here and I would be delighted to take this club there, there is no doubt about it.
"Having avoided relegation two seasons ago and having got so close to things last season in the play-offs, it is time for this group of players to come of age."
Source: PA
Source: PA