Having not conceded more than two goals during a Championship fixture this season, there is an argument that Hughton should be given time to get things right at the other end of the pitch.
However, that is not an opinion shared among the Forest fanbase, who were left increasingly frustrated as Cardiff City came from behind to earn a 2-1 triumph on Sunday afternoon.
Lewis Grabban, playing in a deeper role than usual, finally netted his first goal of the campaign, but Forest were ultimately undone by opponents who showed a greater desire to win.
Hughton finds himself in a position where he will either lose his job or frequently have to fend off questions about his future, a natural consequence when a club the size of Forest sit at the bottom of the table.
Nevertheless, the East Midlands outfit are just four points adrift of 18th spot, and there is a window of opportunity for a change in fortunes against an under-performing Boro.
Ahead of games with Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City, Neil Warnock would have been confident of collecting a significant number of points to keep his side moving in the right direction.
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However, two drab draws were followed by a 2-0 defeat at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday afternoon, leaving Warnock will much to ponder ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
On paper, Boro could not have asked for a more favourable schedule, but Warnock will recognise that the pressure has been increased several levels after losing to the Sky Blues.
While just four players have scored for Boro this season, Warnock will be more concerned that their only clean sheet has come against a misfiring Derby attack
