Despite losing 1-0 to Chelsea, Nottingham Forest secured Conference League football, an achievement that felt disappointing given how close they were to a top five finish — but one that will be remembered with pride after a truly unforgettable season. George Edwards was at the match
Three years ago, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis pronounced his ambition to return European football to the City Ground in the near future following promotion, and was laughed at.
If you’d have told the buoyant crowd that three years later, a flat feeling would be felt upon securing UEFA Conference League football they’d have been startled. But you can’t help but feel even minutely deflated given the position Forest were in and just how close they were to greater things.
Once time passes, that achievement will be put into perspective and celebrated with pride and glee. However, Forest gut-wrenchingly finished one goal away from the Europa League and two goals away from the Champions League as they fell short against Chelsea.
“We didn’t achieve the dream,” Nuno admitted post-match, a dream that for so long felt like far more than just a fragment of the imagination. Forest had earned their position in the top three of the Premier League thanks to their fearless football and unrelenting nature, which unfortunately fizzled out as the season came to its climax.
From 17th to seventh, the milestone Forest have achieved will never be lost. Scraping to survival last season, bottom of the Championship nearly four years ago, languishing in League One in the not-so-distant past — there will be very few turning their noses up at European football returning to Nottingham once again.
However, disappointment has to be allowed. Forest had a 10-point buffer with eight to play; they had three favourable home games that resulted in just one point and for the first season ever, fifth place would secure the Champions League.
It’s so typical of Nottingham Forest to do things this way. Aston Villa and Newcastle above them both lost, meaning that even a point would have elevated them into a competition with higher pedigree and with the potential to attract better players and play against top-level competitors.
But we have to remember that Forest shouldn’t have been here in the first place. In terms of acquired transfer fees, their squad is the least valuable of the 17 teams remaining in the Premier League next season, and — apart from skipper Ryan Yates — they have all been here less than three years.
You always felt that injuries, suspensions and general fatigue may catch up with Forest, but they just kept plugging away to a point where the gap they built up seemed unassailable.
Against Chelsea, they lapsed defensively just once and were made to pay for it, the Blues securing a spot in the Champions League in victory, their constant discipline and commitment proving to Forest the dedication and quality needed to compete at that level.
Yet, the disappointment felt will never detract from or take away the remarkableness and magic of the season just gone; every milestone — personal or collective — will be etched forever into the club’s illustrious history.
Firstly, the first Premier League team to double its points tally from one season to the next (perhaps the only silver lining from last year’s points deduction). No side has ever progressed like Forest have, transformed like Forest have, risen like Forest have.
Doing the double over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur — two sides that have made themselves a laughingstock this season — with Forest taking their places in the upper echelons of the greatest league.
The only side to win at Anfield. One of only two sides to remain unbeaten against the champions and bitterly tormenting Arne Slot by just existing for six months. That brings to life Forest’s real quality, toe-to-toe with the best, earning their respect and giving them the toughest test anyone has.
An FA Cup semi-final, showing the big boys exactly what silverware means to the clubs that don’t see it too often, and somewhat comical that a side in Crystal Palace doing just that took away the European prize Forest would have craved.
Six consecutive wins. Home and away over the festive period, Forest were unstoppable, playing some of the most confident and free-flowing football seen on Trentside this century with refreshing ease.
Within that run came four consecutive clean sheets, adding up to 13 in total for Matz Sels and securing him the Golden Glove, a race he led for the majority of the season. Both he and Nikola Milenkovic’s transforming impact getting the crowning recognition they both deserved, with the Serbian collecting Forest’s player of the season award.
A 20-goal striker — Chris Wood becoming Forest’s all-time leading PL goal scorer and being the difference between defeat and victory on countless occasions this season.
Their leader winning manager of the month three times, Nuno’s warming and uniting mannerism perhaps the most vital cog in Forest’s success, along with every soul buying into his style of play and his decision-making.
And through it all, they have remained themselves: unique. Ruffling feathers in the media, blasting the PGMOL and finding ways to do things the unthinkable way, for example, losing 5-0 one week and winning 7-0 the other. Things only Nottingham Forest do.
While it is nice to finally know Forest’s destiny, it seems a shame this season had to end. The season many believed in their football club for the first time and the season that made many realise the magnitude and the potential of this football club.
The confidence walking into every stadium that they could beat anyone and the knowledge that united as one, Nottingham Forest has no ceiling.
Stemming from that mentality, the achievements of this season have put Forest onto the map and have enabled this monumental step into Europe. The Champions League and the Europa League may have been a step too far, but this team and their commitment to this club will never be forgotten.
Nottingham Forest have risen, risen back to where they belong.
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