In truth, both sides looked jaded after a bright opening quarter but it was noticeable that Forest finished the fresher. Their ability to make five changes without weakening their side contrasted to Blues one change and therein lies the problem for cash strapped Blues.

One goal, however, was always likely to settle it and it could have been Blues, when Saturday’s hero, Donaldson, failed to connect cleanly with a header with the goal at his mercy. A goal then would have undoubtedly brought a fresh injection of much needed energy into some tiring legs. Mind you, Donaldson had a difficult evening getting no protection from a poor referee as he was continually buffeted and man handled during the game.

Forest got the deciding goal courtesy of a slip from the usually reliable Caddis and arguably a push on Spector. On the subject of slipping, Maghoma who, otherwise had a reasonable game, looked, at times, like he was auditioning for Dancing on Ice. Questions need to be asked about footwear on a pitch that looked anything but treacherous.

In the closing stages Rowett, uncharacteristically, went two up front, bringing on the young Dane and also Soloman-Otabator. Unfortunately it didn’t work because although the young Dane made a nuisance of himself and won some good balls in the air, Blues tired team resorted, too often, to a hump down the middle rather than work the wings and the talents of the two young wingers – Gray also making an appearance from the bench.

It’s not a disaster and hopefully we can bounce back. Mind you, you might think so, listening to Radio WM, which makes Tom Ross and his listeners over on Free Radio sound positively intellectual. According to the listeners Blues “weren’t trying” then when somebody phoned up and in a classic “What About the Villa?” mode uttered the words “Goodness Gracious Me” without any follow up comment, I hurriedly switched off to avoid the scenario of cringing at fellow Bluenoses.