Calderwood's future hangs in the balance as Forest misfire

AS he strode across the pitch towards the jeering fans, waving and applauding at his tormentors who were delivering a torrent of abuse, it was hard to tell whether it was a farewell gesture or a message of simple defiance.

Either way, they were the actions of a man whose future lies precariously in the balance.

This is nothing new for Colin Calderwood; a sense of déjà vu doubtless gripped him at the Keepmoat Stadium where, on his last visit, he was also sent home with calls for his head ringing loudly in his ears, as a 1-0 defeat left Forest 11 points adrift of the automatic promotion places and seemingly destined for a play-off place.

Back in April, Calderwood responded to calls for him to be sacked by engineering a remarkable run that fired Forest to the most unlikely of promotion pushes – and promotion.

This time it is he who will be looking to secure a great escape of his own, as a run of just two wins from 19 matches has left his job hanging by a thread.

Is it harsh? Is it an unjustified position for Calderwood? Does he deserve more time? Yes, yes and yes.

But he may not get it. He might have proved before that he is capable of coming through tight situations. But that does not mean he is certain to get an opportunity to do so again.

Football is a harsh game and, when the club hierarchy debate his future over the next few days and ask whether it is time for a fresh face, the answer may also be yes.

There are always two deciding factors when it comes to the future of football managers. The first, is plain, old fashioned statistics.

Forest's stats do not paint the clearest of pictures. Their record of just two victories does not take into account defeats at Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Palace and Cardiff, where Forest did not deserve to lose.

It does not consider the draws against Ipswich, Birmingham, Derby and Bristol City where again, Forest could well have come out with three points. The statistics show that Forest are rooted to the foot of the table, in deep, deep trouble.

The second issue is emotion; the fierce, heartfelt passion felt by supporters. Following a run of four games without defeat and a quartet of promising performances, it was a little surprising that all the hope, belief and confidence built up was lost in the space of 45 minutes. But it was.

Yet it was not just the failure to beat ten-man Norwich City at home that caused this; No, it was the failure to produce a second-half performance that merited victory; It was the fact that the subsequent defeat came against one of their fiercest relegation rivals, who deserved to depart the City Ground with three points.

Last night, Forest had another opportunity to redress the balance. But again, they never looked like doing so.

It may have been an improved performance and, while the home side had long spells of possession, it was Forest who created the better opportunities.

But they never really hit top gear. They never looked truly convincing.

And, while Calderwood may rightly have pointed out that Forest are unbeaten in four matches away from home, the vision of supporters is clouded – blurred by their anger and frustration at seeing what they hoped would be a promotion push evolve instead into a desperate fight against relegation.

Forest's vision for the future in the summer was commendable, their ambition admirable.

And Calderwood has assembled a squad packed full of youthful potential, verve and spirit. But it is also one of the youngest in the division.

The likes of Joe Garner, Paul Anderson, Chris Cohen and Lewis McGugan probably have Premiership futures. But without some experience, without a guiding figure on the pitch, Forest never will.

It could be that Robert Earnshaw is the man to offer that leadership and a late cameo appearance from him suggested he is ready for a return from injury on Saturday. And, before that, in sporadic flashes of brilliance, Forest's young players provided evidence of their quality last night.

It could have been a troubling start for Forest when Brian Stock bent a viciously rising shot that thudded back off the bar in the second minute.

But Nathan Tyson left Shelton Martis on his backside after surging clear of the Doncaster defence before picking out Garner, with Sullivan getting his body behind the Forest man's instant shot.

It was lively, confident-looking Doncaster who were playing with the greater urgency as their instant one-touch football frequently saw them advance menacingly into the penalty area, where Kelvin Wilson and Morgan had to remain defiantly resolute.

But it was always generally Forest who carved out the better opportunities, with Garner seeing a brave header deflected narrowly wide and Tyson unleashing a left foot effort that flew wide of the post.

The striker turned up the gas again in the 33rd minute as he snatched possession to run at the Doncaster defence, with James Chambers desperately hauling him down on the edge of the box.

It was a carbon copy of the incident that had seen Gary Doherty sent off for Norwich on Saturday evening but, with Matt Mills making up ground, referee Andy Penn, rightly decided Chambers was not the last man and issued a yellow card.

Before half-time, Sullivan clawed away another goal-bound effort from Garner. The second half began in the same fashion, with Doncaster teasing Forest and the visitors responding by producing further meaningful efforts on goal, Tyson lifting the travelling fans to their feet with a shot that shaved the post and ruffled the side netting.

It was the Doncaster players who were left with their heads in their hands after a breathtaking moment of goalkeeping from Camp, who initially could only partially parry a thunderous strike from James Coppinger but – with the ball looping high over his head towards goal – somehow managed to throw himself to swat clear right on the line.

Stuart Elliott could have netted a spectacular late winner for Doncaster, as he flicked an improvised 40-yard effort over his shoulder that bounced just over.

But a draw was a fair outcome, particularly in the eyes of Calderwood, who insisted it was a point Forest should be pleased with and a performance that did not deserve to be jeered.

The last time the Scot spoke in such defiant tones at the Keepmoat, he proved himself right by securing promotion.

If he is given a further opportunity, he must come up with a response every bit as spectacular as that.

Forest need an equally miraculous run of form, particularly if Calderwood wants to avoid a grisly fate of his own.