NOTTINGHAM FOREST BLOG: ‘I’ve backed Dougie to the hilt, now I’ve washed my hands of him,’ says Reds fan Steve Corry

I’ve done nothing but stick up for Dougie Freedman but even my patience is wearing thin! It’s an obvious flaw that the manager is failing to address time after time. To say I was fuming is putting it mildly, in the same fixture last season we did exactly the same.

To add insult to injury Freedman opted to bring on Tyler Walker with minutes remaining.... why?

He gives us nothing in the form of attack and cannot hold the ball up when we need to buy time. Check out how many points have been lost as a result of bringing Walker on late into a game, it’s a frightening statistic.

A little harsh on the youngster I suppose because he doesn’t pick himself, therefore the manager must be accountable. How the hell can you equalise against 10 men and then go and lose the game?

Cast your mind back to Blackpool last season, we allowed them to equalise with nine men. Freedman read the riot act to the players that day but I’m sorry pal, this time it’s all your fault.

Forest looked fresh after the international break and were once again greeted by a healthy following down at Griffin Park, Ward assisted Oliveira for Forest’s first oportunity but his effort was comfortable for Button in the Brentford goal.

The Portuguese striker tested Button again just minutes later, with the same resulting save. The home side’s first effort was a John Swift strike, which flew wide from distance.

Oliveira saw plenty of the ball and Forest looked to be on top, as usual though there was a distinct lack of conviction when it mattered. Jamie Ward tested Button with a fierce strike before the interval but the sides went in all square.

Oliveira was again foiled by the busy Button, the Brentford keeper pulled off a fantastic save from the Forest man’s header. Swift then brought a good save from De Vries soon after.

The Bees are always dangerous when they get the ball to feet and the likes of Alan Judge were beginning to find pockets of space. Swift was replaced by the Spaniard Canos and he found the net almost straight away.

The little man, on loan from Liverpool latched onto Harlee Dean’s knock down to give the home side a breakaway lead. Same old story I’m afraid!

Forest swapped Mendes and Trotter for Williams and Blackstock, Williams was soon involved in a minor scuffle with Harlee Dean and this resulted in a red card for the Brentford man. Forest capitalised instantly with a fine equaliser from Henri Lansbury, he showed great composure to slot home from the edge the area.

With 15 minutes to go, you sensed that an away win was on the cards.

However, the Bees had the best of the late action, first Hoffmann was denied by De Vries and then Tarkowski struck the post just minutes later.

Brentford were indeed rewarded for their late ambition with a 96th minute goal. Hobbs allowed his man to pass him far too easily and from the resulting cross and goalmouth scramble, Hoffmann’s deflected shot won it with the last kick of the game.

What a contrast.

Brentford boss Lee Carsley has won five out of seven games and is certain to be taken on permanently. Meanwhile, Dougie Freedman is making the same poor substitutions and conceding the same scrappy late goals.

As I said earlier, I’ve defended him to the hilt but enough is enough. His failure to address the obvious issues, and his constant blaming of everyone but himself have left me no option but to wash my hands with him.

It could be worse though, 56 years ago to the very day we lost 0-8 away to Burnley!