Time For Forest To Stand Up

After the defeat at Luton last week I was looking forward to the prospect of three home games on the bounce. But after the midweek display against the Latics, I have a sense of trepidation over the visit of a high flying Tranmere side.

I expected the Reds to come out all guns blazing on Tuesday night, but instead they came out firing blanks, infact they barely let off a shot. Calderwood promised us the lads were hurting and wanted to rectify the no show at Luton, but instead they showed a lack of determination and effort that was all too reminiscent of last years sorry performances and quite worrying to say the least.

In addition to this sudden loss of form we have the Lennon saga, which can't be helping matters off the pitch. Opinion is divided on the former Celtic man, but I for one put a lot of our earlier good form down to him. Whether he plays again for the Reds is uncertain, but for now he won't be playing and we have to make do. His boots will be hard to fill, but even so we should have enough quality in this side to do better.

I think a win of any description is essential today. Even a poor performance and an in off the backside job from Tyson will do me, just to get us three points and keep us in touch. This division is going to be very tight this year and harder to get out of than last year. We can't afford to be slipping away from the leaders, even at this early stage. Three points in November are just important as three points in May.

Calderwood has to get back to the passing game and get the players confidence back. He's a great one for the team spirit and togetherness line, we need them to show this now. Davies should get his first full game today, that will instill some confidence and if he has the plums to drop club captain Breckin from the squad, then that should instill more at the back. A win today will set us up nicely for another tough one next Tuesday against Southend, defeat and maybe the wheels have come off. Either way we need the real Nottingham Forest to stand up, be counted and show the fans what you're made of.

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