"There's been adversity from certain sections of supporters and I'm really pleased for Colin"
A banner which hung from the empty Trent End when celebrating fans had departed the City Ground following Forest's promotion back to the Championship had a simple message.
"He does know what he's doing," was perhaps a tacit admission by the writer of the banner, or perhaps a statement to some of the manager's more vocal critics, that they had been too hasty in condemning Colin Calderwood as a failure.
The boss has certainly come in for some intense criticism during a rocky season.
At various times BBC Radio Nottingham's phone lines were burning with insistence that he should be sacked. Those same lines carried more than their fair share of humble pie in the first post-promotion phone-in.
And Calderwood, whose smile was as wide as the Trent for several days after his side had dramatically risen up the ladder on the final day of the season, admits to a level of satisfaction at proving the doubters wrong.
"Deep down, yes. The only way to change it was to be successful, and ultimately we did it," Calderwood told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"There's a certain amount of satisfaction as we stand here at the minute, and I will enjoy what I've done here."
And why shouldn't he enjoy his achievement?
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Calderwood's bosses have paid tribute to his efforts, too.
Chairman Nigel Doughty pointed out his excellent record in management.
And chief executive Mark Arthur said: "I'm so pleased for Colin Calderwood and his players, who've stayed together as a unit.
"There's been adversity from certain sections of supporters and I'm really pleased for him."
The Reds manager does not expect an easy ride next season, despite apparently winning the majority of fans over with promotion.
CALDERWOOD'S RECORD"It'll start again next season," he said.
"Every manager gets a little bit of criticism or questions posed against him, and until you can keep being a successful manager then people might have a reason to do that.
"At the minute, though, they have less of a reason to do that."
As for the future, the messages coming from the City Ground are of a determination to build from a position of strength.
Those feelings are echoed by Calderwood himself: "I want to build my future, and I want to build it with Nottingham Forest.
"I am desperate to see this squad become better, and make myself a better manager as well."
So with another promotion under his belt, and another manager of the month award against his name, Colin Calderwood begins the pleasant chore of launching his assault on the Championship next season.
And, as Calderwood leads them back into the second tier after three years in the League One wilderness, how many Forest fans will now, perhaps begrudgingly, admit that the writer of the banner was spot on in his assessment?
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