Calderwood Has Plenty To Ponder

The season proper gets underway in under a week and Forest manager Colin Calderwood has as many questions as answers after 9 games in which to assess his new squad.

Today saw the Reds lose their final pre season game at Sheffield United, going down 1-0 to a Billy Sharp goal. Kris Commons played up front with Scott Dobie in an effort to patch up Forest's threadbare attack, but it leaves Calderwood with a real headache for the seasons opener next Saturday against Bournemouth. Just who is he going to be able to play upfront with Dobie, the only fit, out and out striker he has? Not many fans will want to see Commons take on the strikers roll. It's not really what he does. The answer may lie in young Emile Sinclair, who has impressed in the games he has played. The big question mark over Sinclair, is whether or not he is ready yet for first team action. Arron Davies signed for Forest with a reputation as a winger cum striker, but he has been sidelined with an ankle injury. He is however expected to be fit for the visit of Bournemouth.

This pre season has been a busy and frustrating one for Calderwood. He was able to get Chris Cohen onto the pitch for the final 15 mins of today's game, but once again was unable to call upon Junior Agogo who is still recovering from an injury to his pelvis. With Holt and Tyson out for the foreseeable, his options upfront are limitted.

The time for experimenting is over as the real business gets underway in 7 days time. Calderwood will be unhappy at not being able to see his preferred starting eleven play together at any time during the pre season friendlies, he may not even get that pleasure next week. Those initial feelings of optimism in the early days of the summer, may be turning to worry, if our striking problems aren't sorted soon. It all begins in earnest next week and it's going to be another long, hard fought season. I hope Colin's ready.