The City Ground was rocking on Saturday. In a short space of time Steve Cooper has got Nottingham Forest fans believing again.
“We’ve got our Forest back,” is the general consensus.
It’s enjoyable to watch the Reds play at the minute. It’s exciting and entertaining; a team full of energy.
Cooper has only been in charge for four games, but already the wretched start to the season feels like a lifetime ago. The change has been dramatic.
Is it more than just a “new manager bounce”?
This run of games, up until the next international break, will perhaps offer a bit more of a clue about what Forest might be capable of this term. Bristol City, Fulham, QPR, Sheffield United and Preston North End.
There’s a confidence about the team when they go into matches now; the focus is on how they can hurt the opposition.
And perhaps, too, an expectation is starting to build up. That the Reds can have a really good campaign.
Top six potential? It’s too early to say, really. But you wouldn’t bet against them with the way things are going.
Cooper is keen to retain a sense of perspective; to keep any lofty ambitions in check - at least for now. Nobody at the City Ground will be getting carried away after a five-match unbeaten run, even if three wins on the spin hasn’t exactly been a regular occurrence up until now.
The head coach is well aware there is still plenty of room for improvement, still areas of Forest’s game which need to be worked on.
But that is also a reason for encouragement. This team can get better.
Just a few weeks ago, there was a genuine fear relegation could be on the cards. Distance has now been put between the Reds and the bottom three, and they are up to 16th in the table.
Keep this run going and they will quickly climb even further up the rankings.
That is the challenge. Consistency is key - something which has been difficult to come by in the past. Avoiding complacency is part of that. Cooper insists there is no chance of that in the dressing room.
He and his players have to keep a level head.
But with smiles back on faces, who can blame fans for daring to dream about what might be possible?
This Championship season has a long way to run yet. Anything can happen.
