Calderwood – Not A Happy Chappy

It maybe that Luton Town and Kenilworth Road join the Bescot and Walsall as our bogey ground/team. Then again it could just be that Forest are failing to learn from the same old mistakes time after time, after once again failing to produce the necessary level of performance to win a game of football.

The 1-0 defeat to Luton was the second at Kenilworth Road this season, following on from the 2-1 defeat in the league. It wasn’t so much the fact that we lost the game, or missed out on the chance of a glamour tie with Liverpool, but the manner in which it came about.

Calderwood was apparently fuming, at least that was the headlines on the BBC and the official site. According to them CC said, ‘I am really annoyed with the way we left ourselves with a mountain to climb. We were in control of the match, I didn’t feel we were in any danger. There was no threat against us.’ Now I didn’t go to the game, so my criticism may be unfair, but from what I heard from a usually reliable away commentary, Forest hardly had an effort on goal. I counted two chances we had and countless chances for the opposition.

I’m not sure if CC realised that there was only one team going to win the game last night and it wasn’t Forest. From the KO Luton were dominant and snuffed out our midfield and didn’t let them have a look in. The 4-4-3 formation that had served us so well thus far was abandoned for what was described as a diamond formation. Even after a dreadful first half CC decided to go with the same for the second. To say Luton were not posing a threat is a bit rich in my opinion.

Luton passed the ball well, we didn’t. Luton tackled and found their man, we didn’t. Luton scored, we didn’t. Luton out fought and out played us. We came off second best in every department and got what we deserved, nothing.

I hope Calderwood really was fuming, because if not he should be. It was about this time last year when the wheels came off for the Reds and if we are not careful the same will happen again. Of course it was a Cup game and only £400,000 was lost, but next it will be three points. What price do you put on that in May?

Colin needs to learn and learn quick. Luton found us out and knew exactly how to play us. Last season the whole division had us sussed by this time. It’s up to him to ensure the same doesn’t happen again.

CC’s final words to Radio Nottingham last night were, ‘Luton’s set-plays were excellent and we have to make improvements to give ourselves a better chance in games, but I thought we were pretty much in control for most of the match.’ Yes you have to make improvements, but no, you were not in control of the game. Next up it’s Northampton and a chance to make it all right again.