'Never-say-die spirit has supporters dreaming'

Never say die is a fairly new thing on Trentside - this century at least.

Aside from a few play-off seasons in both League One and the Championship - all over a decade ago - Nottingham Forest were much more likely to roll over than stand up and fight.

The seeds of this current mentality were planted a few years ago. Sabri Lamouchi's 15 months in charge - ultimately curtailed by a disastrous collapse at the end of the 2019-20 season - heralded a sense of belief as the Reds sought to reverse their second-tier status.

A 2-0 win over Leeds United in February 2020 might have been the high of that season, and Chris Hughton's dour reign that followed didn't exactly keep the spirit alive. But Steve Cooper's arrival tapped into a growing sense that something could - should - happen at the City Ground.

Two last-gasp goals from Lyle Taylor against Bristol City in October 2021, in a 2-1 win at Ashton Gate, was the point it really felt like that could be our season. A feeling of togetherness, determination and belief ran through that promotion year - something Forest just have not been used to.

The stakes are very different now, but Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa was a similar moment. Two last-gasp goals proved that this team do not know when they are beaten, do not doubt their ability and, importantly, maintain their composure and concentration until the very end.

Nuno Espirito Santo rightly urged us to "enjoy it together" while focusing on the next game. But a never-say-die spirit already has supporters dreaming of what could be.

To still be in the top four a week before Christmas is beyond anyone's expectations. We can only wait to see what 2025 brings, in the perhaps timely 50th anniversary of Brian Clough's arrival.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external