Who Pressed The Panic Button?

Normally I am first in the queue when it comes to jumping on the ‘let’s give Forest a good kicking’ bandwagon, but surely it’s a little premature after only one match in a 46 game season?

Maybe I have mellowed in the close season, or my brain is suffering the effects of too much alcohol, but calling for Calderwoods’ head on a platter after only 90 mins of football has to be seen as jumping the gun, just a bit. Before a ball had been kicked we knew the score as far as our attacking options were concerned, so we can hardly claim surprise at a goaless draw at home to Bournemouth.

The last campaign ended with the kind of disappointment associated with losing a family member and was always going to take some getting over. Some have clearly yet to find peace after that Friday night in May, but the striker issue aside there were signs of improvement from a depleted Forest side that had seven first team players out through injury and only one fit striker to choose from.

Colin Calderwood was rightly and justifiably criticised for negative tactics and bemusing substitutions on occasions last year. He even admitted as much himself and vowed to learn from his mistakes. That in my book says we should give the guy a break and leave him to do what he’s paid for. He did after all inherit the worst squad of Nottingham Forest players ever to digrace the Garibaldi and is only now being able to field a side he can call his own. Not many of us will argue with his dealings in the transfer market this summer. The current striker situation at the club is glaringly obvious for all to see, but it is not the fault of Calderwood that they are dropping like flies. If he values his job he’d address the issue pretty quick, because if the noises from the terraces were anything to go by yesterday, then he’s in for a tough time.

The club is taking a gamble if they don’t address the teams attacking frailties and it’s a risk that will grow with each game if results don’t go their way. But they will be thinking that in a months’ time the options will be greater as players return from injury and are probably hoping to stay in touch with the leading teams and muddle through. That’s all well and good if it happens, but if it doesn’t then the voices of discontent will grow louder and louder. We the fans should have a bit of perspective as well, because a season is not lost on the opening day, it isn’t won either.