Nottingham Forest are in the thick of a relegation dog fight and now the question is if there is sufficient fight (and quality) in the red dogs to survive?
The last four games have been a cause for alarm since drawing with Manchester City. Some fans might extend that statement back a little further to the win over Leeds United in terms of performance.
The comfortbable gap to the relegation zone, when it comes to both points and places has been eroded, with Forest now two points above the bottom three after the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
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It was a game Forest deserved to lose, but one they really should have drawn. Yes, they should have had a free kick before the equaliser, but their inability to see out each half cost them as they continued their trend of conceding wholly avoidable goals. The Reds fell apart in 15 minutes against West Ham, gifted Everton two goals and arguably gifted Tottenham three, including a penalty.
Another penalty was conceded against Newcastle, as was one against Everton. All were clear cut and avoidable. Forest just aren't helping themselves. Being charitable to Moussa Niakhate, his abberation on Friday night was presumably one of a tired mind as he struggled through parts of the game alongside Felipe.
That was understandable and the central defender will surely benefit from the 90 minutes after being out since August. His return in the next few months could be essential to Forest staying up if he performs to his reputation after his time in the Bundesliga.
Forest still have more persistent issues in midfield. Steve Cooper changed formation to 4-2-3-1 on Friday night and put plenty of faith in Ryan Yates and Jonjo Shelvey in front of the back four.
Yates did well before going off with a shoulder injury. Forest need him back to full fitness with the same for Cheikou Kouyate. Whether they can help get the best out of Shelvey is a big question as the former Newcastle man's contribution has been mixed so far.
Excellent on the ball, he has struggled defensively to say the least and it is fair to question if his talent might have to be sacrificed from the starting XI in immediate games for the sake of better balance.
There is certainly much work to do in the next two weeks with pivotal games against Wolves and Leeds to come in succession after the international break. As it stands, Forest are starting to look short on belief when teams around them are scrapping for points and reeling them in.
If the Reds cannot get back to being the side which looked so promising after they beat Leicester at home then the picture is bleak. Upcoming games include Manchester United and Arsenal at home and Liverpool and Chelsea away.
However, they have shown what they can do at the City Ground and have big players to come back. A fully fit Niakhate and Yates will make a difference, as will Kouyate and Taiwo Awoniyi when he is back. Don't forget Gustavo Scarpa after his return to the fold this weekend and there is also a clamour for Danilo to feature more given his long term promise.
Emmanuel Dennis will hope for a run in the side after his wonderful goal on Friday, Brennan Johnson can get the goals to keep Forest up and there is more to come from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Games that might have been must not lose a few weeks ago like Wolves and Southampton at home now look increasingly must win after recent results, but the squad must back themselves to get three more wins and a draw or two in the remaining quarter of the season. That is still a substantial chunk of games where plenty can happen.
Forest must rediscover their belief and make good use of the international break to cut out the errors and potentially make tactical changes the manager perceives to be necessary. Cooper reinvented his team after the horrible defeat at Leicester and he might have to do it again, even if that means leaving the odd big name out, with a leggy looking Remo Freuler dropping to the bench against Newcastle for example.
Being in this position should come as no surprise to supporters. Teams who come up through the play-offs are at a disadvantage time wise after promotion.
Teams who make 30 signings will need time to settle and teams who have the amount of injuries Forest do will suffer. As Cooper has often said, they are trying to do what has never been done before. Nine teams are separated by four points. Supporters of all those teams will be panicking.
It is a mad situation and Forest's players must not give in now or panic, even if fans are understandably fearing the worst considering a tough run in on paper. It took so long to get back here and the thought of it unravelling in a few months is painful. Forest must rediscover the magic Steve Cooper has created in 18 incredible months now more than ever.
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