But they had to send on the star names to head off the threat of a shock exit.
Vitor Pereira made six changes as Forest hosted Fenerbahce in the Europa League after a 3-0 win in Istanbul.
Morato, Jair Cunha, Nicolas Dominguez, James McAtee, Ryan Yates and Lorenzo Lucca all came into the XI.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus and Callum Hudson-Odoi were on the bench in case Pereira needed reinforcements.
With Forest 1-0 down, four subs were sent on at half-time.
Jesus replaced ineffective striker Lucca with Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi also joining the action.
Forest quickly conceded a second goal before Hudson-Odoi scored from Aina’s cross to settle nerves.
There was a minor scare for Forest in the second half when goalkeeper Stefan Ortega appeared to strain his calf muscle.
But he was able to continue, allowing Gibbs-White to go on as a fifth sub late on.
Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler had said he would keep one eye on the game while he was out at a birthday dinner.
With progress secured, Forest will keep a close eye on Ortega with Matz Sels currently ruled out.
Angus Gunn started to warm up but Ortega was able to see out the game.
Pereira said: "We conceded a goal and we lost the confidence to play.
“It was difficult for me to do four subs at the same time but I spoke to the players and said it was my decision and we needed to do it because the game came into a dangerous situation for us.
"They scored the second but then we started to play to our level. We scored.
“This is important to keep in our minds, Europa League is not easy. I know Fenerbahce very well and they came here to fight for the result.”
Forest have lost three of their last five games ahead of their Premier League game at the Amex on Sunday.