The dream isn’t over. Nottingham Forest need to remember that. Promotion is still achievable.
Second place proved out of reach, with Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth ending those hopes. But there are many different routes to the top.
Getting to the Premier League remains very much within their grasp. They will just have to go about it in another way, via the play-offs.
From where they were to where they are, the Reds have come such a long way. Even just a few weeks ago, the idea of being in this position and challenging the Cherries would have seemed a stretch.
Read more: How the Reds rated against Bournemouth
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Perspective is required. As are cool heads. Forest have to gather themselves and go again.
Head coach Steve Cooper admitted it “hurt”, losing at the Vitality Stadium. Watching the scenes as Bournemouth fans streamed onto the pitch at the final whistle, celebrating their team making it to the top-flight. The Reds players had been lost in a sea of supporters as they tried to make their way down the tunnel.
Forest are much, much better than they showed in the second half. That was not a true reflection of what they are capable of. After edging the opening 45 minutes and creating some good chances, they never got going after the break. Towards the end, they began to look a little jaded.
But what they cannot now afford to do is let any of the disappointment linger. There is still a massive prize on the line.
They have coped with plenty of set-backs before. Be it injuries, refereeing decisions and defeats.
This is just another one. Another obstacle to overcome. How they respond will go a long way to determining how this season ends. It is still in their own hands.
