Calderwood Will Not Admit Defeat

Colin Calderwood is the consummate professional when it comes to talking positive and there's non better at talking up his sides chances of winning promotion. But it would now seem he's only convinced himself and has lost the support and faith of the fans.

You can visit anyone of the many Nottingham Forest message boards today and be hard pushed to find a single soul that thinks we can achieve automatic promotion, yet according to the official site, he refuses to concede defeat. Speaking after another miserable team performance he said.

'It is very, very tight. With this result we will have to be aware of the teams behind us. We will have to play a lot better. If we end up in the play-offs, hopefully it will be an enjoyable experience. We have to hit the ground with some kind of impetus and tonight's performance does not help. It is a real kick in the teeth. We have to go back to basics from this, because we were second best to a team that played with spirit. We have had a really poor 90 minutes, but the previous two games have been excellent.'

Unfortunately for Calderwood, his every word is being dissected at present and this latest piece will win him few friends. Talk of an 'enjoyable playoff experience' is like a red rag to a bull. By his own admission, the team gave a poor performance, but the fans will not agree that the last two games have been excellent. A good display at Northampton was undone by a poor one against Brighton. The poor fella can't win.

Forest now face another tough game on Tuesday at Carlisle. A win there is essential. Not for automatic promotion, but to stay in the playoffs. Fans have forgotten about an automatic place, the manager should do the same.