Colin Is The Messiah

Personally, i have to admit to being completely and utterly underwhelmed when Calderwoods’ appointment was announced. I genuinely believed that our benefactor Nigel Doughty had once again goofed on the managerial front. But from day one, the amiable Scott has shown that he is able to back up his fine rhetoric with what matters most to the overcharged supporter, results.

The former Northampton man had inherited a side lacking in both ability and confidence. The squad was as large as it was incompetent. Trimming it of deadwood was going to be as big a job as getting in new blood. The club was on it’s knees and taking on the roll was a thankless task that had previously cost some big names in the game their jobs.

Calderwoods’ first press conferences were full of the usual diatribe, ‘sleeping giant,… supporters deserve better,… promotion is our aim,…team spirit and togetherness,… etc, etc. The latter phrase being something that Calderwood believes strongly in, as the clubs’ pre season trip to Italy proved. ‘Everyone would be given a chance,’ said Colin ( unless of course your name was Rogers or Friio) and they were.

The season started with only one new addition in keeper Paul Smith. So it was largely the same bunch of misfiring misfits that had let the club and it’s supporters down the previous season. Within 3 mins of a new campaign, Forest were on the lookout for a new striker as Tyson was sidelined. In came Junior Agogo for signing number two. Calderwood was going to have a massive job on his hands.

From day one Colin Calderwood has proved himself to be tactically astute and not afraid to change his sides formation from game to game, even within a game. He wants his charges to be able to adapt to differing opposition, although most fans have little faith in their ability to be successful with the 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2, but would rather he stuck with the tried and tested 4-4-2. Calderwood is a determined man and will not give up easily on this, even if his players are doing their best to show him they are not always comfortable with it.

The quality of football so far this term has been indifferent, never more visible than in the most recent game at home to Swansea. The team displayed 13 mins of the most sublime football you are ever likely to see, more akin to what you might see at the Nou Camp. This was shadowed either side by some of the most inept and incompetent football you are ever likely to see, more akin to what you might see in a Sunday League side. What this did show however, is the first flowering shoots of optimism, in that supporters may well once again see the tippy tappy football they demand, know and love.

With a quarter of the season gone, the Reds’ sit proudly on top of League 1.( that’s division 3 in old money.) 3 points clear of closest rivals and footballing giants Yeovil, with a healthy goal difference of +10. So the future looks bright. Talk of promotion is premature, but there is more than reason for hope, the evidence is there. Calling Colin the Messiah may be a little strong, but you have to start somewhere, why not here? Before the final ball is kicked, there will no doubt be plenty for the doom and gloom merchants to write about on the message boards, but Colin Calderwood deserves our support and respect for giving us all reason for looking forward to Saturdays’ again. He has shown faith in the team, maybe we should do the same with him.