NOTTINGHAM Forest had their backsides spanked well and truly at Burnley. A 5-0 thrashing is demoralising enough but when it shoves you almost back into the bottom three, it is even more damaging.

They might have been out of the relegation zone since December 28 and some might have thought safety was on the horizon.

But this thrashing has made it loud and clear that relegation just 12 months after finally getting out of League One is a real possibility.

And if they continue to play like they did on Saturday, there's no ifs and buts about it – it will happen.

Manager Billy Davies came out afterwards and told it how it is. He said they owed the fans an apology for a disgraceful performance. They have to be stronger, more disciplined and more accountable.

And he accused some of not having a natural will to win. Basically, the stomach for the fight.

I know if I was playing, those words would hurt me. I would be frothing at the mouth now to prove the manager wrong – to prove I did have a heart, I had the fight. The problem is some players in this day and age are too comfortable, they are just happy being a professional footballer and everything that goes with it.

The Forest boys now have to come out and prove they are not one of those and show the manager they have the stomach for the fight.

There is no better way to do that than against league leaders Wolves on Saturday. It is a tough ask as they were thrashed 5- 1 at Molineux at the start of the season.

But what better game to show they do have the bottle to save the club from relegation.

After that match there is a two-week international break and Forest do not want to go into that in the bottom three. That would just hit their fragile confidence even more.

After that break, they will have six games, including season-defining matches against fellow strugglers Barnsley, Southampton and Blackpool. From those three games, they need to be taking maximum points.

Everyone is playing for not only the future of the club, but their own future because playing like they did on Saturday, Davies will not want many of them next season.

Saturday was an embarrassment. I feel for those fans who made the trip north.

But talk is cheap, I want to see the players do their talking on the pitch.

All week they should have the bit between their teeth and be desperate for 3pm Saturday to come to prove they are fighters, are warriors; to prove they do deserve their big pay cheques, to prove they have passion and stomach for the fight.

Everyone would have questioned that after the crushing defeat on Saturday at such a crucial stage of the season.

Now I just hope they put it right by toppling league leaders Wolves this weekend.