Sort the defence out, Colin, or we will go straight back down

I'm feeling really depressed about Forest at the moment. I've got a terrible feeling that we are going to struggle badly this season and be ensconced in a relegation fight.

I thought that the home game against Burnley would be an ideal opportunity to make amends for the dreadful Wolves defeat, but after a bright start, Forest just lost their way a bit when Graham Alexander scored from a free kick against the run of play, and a bizarre penalty decision late in the second half ended up costing Forest a much-needed three points and leave us languishing in 21st position in the table.

Last season's promotion success was built on the foundation of our defence which kept 24 clean sheets in League One, but having conceded 12 goals already in just five matches, it's become blatantly obvious that the current back four is not good enough for the Championship. Even taking the five goals at Molineux out of the equation, we've looked very shaky in every game. Burnley had only scored once in four matches before they came to the City Ground, yet they scored two yesterday, and were always threatening every time they got forward.

Everyone is desperate for us to play 4-4-2 because at least it would give us more shape, and not leave our defence so exposed. I just wish Colin Calderwood would have the guts to make changes, but he won't. Now that the transfer window is closed until January, we will have to make do with loan signings, but all I ever keep reading is that we're after yet another midfielder or a striker. It's defenders we need, Colin! Urgently. We need to sign a left and right back, as Julian Bennett is out injured at the moment, and has not been playing well since the season started anyway, and Luke Chambers is hopelessly out of his depth, yet somehow keeps being selected because he's one of Calderwood's favourites.

Although I said a couple of weeks ago that Kelvin Wilson and Wes Morgan are fine in the centre of defence, now I am not so sure. Although I don't blame him for giving the penalty away, Morgan was very shaky at times. In League One Morgan was excellent, but he has yet to prove himself in the Championship, and I am wondering if he is up to it.

I'm really dreading Tuesday when we go to Preston. If our first two away games at Swansea and Wolves are anything to go by, we're going to be in for another hiding to nothing. Preston have started really well, and Forest are low on confidence at the moment, so it's hard to see us getting anything out of the game. Although we really need a win, I think I will settle for a point and then hope we can beat Charlton next Saturday. We should try and win our home games and keep it tight away from home and try and draw games, because that will see us safe in midtable, which for me would be brilliant as I am so terrified of getting relegated again.