From Saint Hart to Satan in a matter of a dozen games - are the memories of the Forest fans really that short? Or has Paul Hart in some way justified the wrath and criticism which is heading - unrelenting - toward him on matters either on or off the field of play? 

What I find completely bewildering is the strangely embittered and unjust criticism (read: abuse) being levelled at Paul Hart for the problems we're experiencing at the moment, which are a combination of:

• Bad luck - bloody annoying, but a fact of life - we surfed good luck last season at times, maybe this is karma?
• Injuries - we've always operated a thin squad, injuries affect us badly, and we've had some unfortunate casualties this season.
• Fiscal policy - it's admirable that we've learned from past boards and are not seeking to overspend, but this has proven a serious handicap to Paul Hart attracting players to the club. 
• Selling/releasing of assets - cashing in on our young stars has been both painful and profitable, but little of that cash has made it into the transfer kitty. 

Now, folk will always speculate (myself included) and folk will always want to find someone to point the finger at - but how, after any kind of careful thought process, that fickle finger of blame can be directed coachward is baffling.

Let's consider what Hart is in control of, and let's consider what he's had to work with. Harty selects our team - and I'd say on paper we've a decent enough starting eleven (with no injuries). Take out of that equation our top scorer from last year, take out of that equation our second top scorer from last year (sold for a pittance to a Division One rival), take out any experienced left back (indeed, breaking news - take out any fully fit fullback full stop), add some young and inexperienced players not really fulfilling their potential at present and you have a recipe for inconsistency. Add to that, 20,000 home fans who are at best silent and at worst derisory critics, and you have an inconsistent and unconfident side. 

Let's not be deluded into thinking Hart is some kind of God or is beyond criticism - not at all. He makes mistakes like any manager. But realistically what could he have done differently that would make the league table look prettier for us?

"Sign *insert random player*" - where's the money? Where are the wages?

"Play *insert midfielder* in *insert midfield formation/position*" - not only should we not be so arrogant as to presume he doesn't try combinations in training, last time I looked we change our midfield personnel frequently as well as reverting to and from the diamond to a flat four.

It is so easy to be critical when there's no way on Earth any of your theories or hypotheses can ever be rigourously tested. Hell, I know a few line-ups and formations I'd like to try - but I respect the fact that somebody who (a) knows football a hell of a lot better than me and (b) knows the players a hell of a lot better than me knows what's likely to work. 

I can remember when David Platt was in charge - I can remember detesting what he did to our team, detesting the money he wasted, the debt he was allowed to build up. I can remember with horror as we were in a WORSE league position that we are now operating on a shoe-string.

The thing I can't remember was a widely expressed level of dissent against the large-foreheaded f*ckwit. Admittedly I wasn't as embedded in online communities of Forest fans so was largely relying on the vibe at the ground and the fans who I talk to rather than scattered supporters who I may not see at the ground so often.

If I'm being fair, few of the folk I do see regularly down at the City Ground seem to volunteer feelings such as these, so maybe it is purely an online phenomenon.

I shall be sure to canvas opinion carefully on Saturday, which will hopefully see Forest getting back on track against Reading. We can but hope. I must make sure I check thoughts before the game, though, because undoubtedly Paul Hart will become Saint Hart again once we register some better results.