Calderwood – Has To Be The Right Man

Taking charge of the Reds’ 12 months ago was a thankless task awaiting anyone brave enough to take the roll. That task was given to former player Colin Calderwood, who had just guided Northampton to promotion from League 2 at the third attempt.

Calderwood upon his arrival whisked the players off on a pre season jolly to Lake Garda in Italy. The purpose of the trip as well as getting to know the squad and getting them fit, was a team bonding exercise and also to ascertain who was worthy of the shirt and who was not.

By the time the season got underway Calderwood declared he was more than happy with ‘the group,’ even the likes of Eaden and Padula, much to the dismay of the fans who new otherwise. His tenure started well in terms of results, going 7 League games unbeaten. But the performances didnt match the results. A reluctance to play 4-4-2 had fans bemused and confused, as they saw the team winning by either sheer luck, or the failings of the opposition. By December though, Forest were somehow 7 points clear at the top and cruising.

The rest as we all know is history, we know how the story ended. The conclusion of another forgettable season in the history of NFFC, sees opinions divided on all matters Calderwood. A recent Vitalforest poll said that a massive 84% thought he was the wrong man for the job. Hardly scientific and in his defence, it was taken amidst the aftermath of the Yeovil debacle. Nonetheless it’s a worrying statistic for the manager to contend with.

It is vitally important that supporters get behind the team next season. Whoever represents us in the Garibaldi will need our support and not the weekly chastising they could get if things don’t get off to the best of starts. That is down to Calderwood, who in the coming weeks has to ensure that the new arrivals are players who want to play for this club. They need to be young and hungry for success.

He has gone along way in trying to rid the club of the cancer that has spread through it in recent years. Some will argue there is still work to be done on that front, but he is getting there. He also needs to learn from his mistakes. Tactics and substitutions have been open to question throughout the season, but he is young and is still learning his trade. He could go along way to winning over the sceptics by playing with a bit more flare and be more positive in getting the team to play attacking football. He needs the right players to do this though, in his defence he didn’t have that last year.

Next season will see Calderwood with what should be His team. That team will have only one target and that is promotion. If that looks unlikely come December Forest could be looking for their 8th managerial change in as many years. If this club is to succeed, we need stability, we need a manager who is here for the long term, we need a manager with vision and ideas. Calderwood has to be that man. Happy anniversary Colin.