So it’s Blades next after Tigers’ late strike
DRAW MEANS COOPER’S MEN HEAD FOR SHEFFIELD IN PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS
AND so to Bramall Lane. It just had to be, didn’t it? Another twist in Nottingham Forest’s exhilarating season.
It is a tie which brings with it painful play-off memories for the Reds.
But this is a different time. A different team.
One which has been playing without the weight of history for most of the season. One which has been writing its own chapters – and still has a few more pages of the tome to fill.
Where this story goes is up to them. They have already penned a great tale.
From last to fourth. From the worst start in more than a century to the club’s highest League position for more than a decade.
And their highest points tally in the second tier since 1998, finishing on 80 after taking only one from their opening seven games.
Reds head coach Steve Cooper was keen to stress that point in his post-match interview after the 1-1 draw with Hull City.
“I can’t think of anything worse than having the season finish today and going on our holidays,” he said. “We’re still fighting for something.”
■■Dramatic finale
For a few seconds, at least, Forest looked like they would finish third and be paired with Luton Town in the semi-finals.
Brennan Johnson’s 92nd-minute penalty had the makings of being the winner, being greeted by a roar and a few flares - from the away end.
In the space of a few moments, though, the play-offs picture spun. Almost immediately Hull went down the other end and equalised. The Reds had to settle for fourth and a reacquaintance with Sheffield United.
There was an element of fluke about the leveller. Lewie Coyle’s ball into the box was looking for Keane Lewis-potter but ended up curling past Brice Samba.
How decisive those few minutes could be remains to be seen.
No path through the play-offs is easy, though - whoever the opponent.
The Reds had lacked the kind of intensity which has characterised their charge up the table. For the most part, it had the feel of a fixture with not a lot riding on it.
Understandable, given the number of changes made by the visitors.
And they were left frustrated at how the game ended. They must ensure there is no hangover from that or the punishing feeling from Bournemouth - particularly after a flat second half in that midweek defeat.
■■Changes aplenty
Cooper’s desire not to take any risks when it came to his team selection was understandable.
Forest are carrying a fair few knocks and have come through an exhausting few weeks, playing at full-throttle.
Was it the right decision? It’s almost a case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. A gamble either way, and impossible to predict the impact it will have.
Will the benefit of ensuring key players are as well rested and as fit as possible outweigh missing the chance to build some momentum with a stronger 11? That’s the kind of judgement call the manager has to make.
And given Cooper refers to the play-offs as “completely unique games”, he will have weighed up the pros and cons.
Going into the end-of-season lottery in flying form can count for little or it can count for a lot. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong way; not when there are too many variables and too many unknowns.
What the Reds will need to control is getting back to the kind of levels they are capable of.
It’s difficult to read too much into the result against Hull, given the team which lines up against the Blades on Saturday will almost certainly be very different.
The big guns of Johnson, Sam Surridge and Djed Spence were all called upon in the second half in a bid to win the game. They so nearly managed it, too.
■■First starts
Dipping into his squad saw
Cooper hand a debut to defender Jonathan Panzo and a first start for fellow January signing Richie Laryea.
Both will have felt the benefit of minutes on the pitch, whether or not they have to wait until next term for another opportunity.
Panzo, in particular, caught the eye. He has been doing well for the Under-23s and slotted in well to the senior side.
Still a raw talent, it was nevertheless a really encouraging display. The 21-year-old was confident and comfortable on the ball.
He had some bright moments pushing forward, too, including linking up with Joe Lolley to help set up an opportunity for Alex Mighten before the break.
He has had to bide his time, and he’s almost certainly one for the future, rather than playing his way into the manager’s play-off plans. But the defender showed he is a bright prospect.
■■To Sheffield...
And all the nerves, tension, excitement, butterflies and drama that will bring.
That Forest are in this position is remarkable – even a few weeks ago, top six was far from a certainty.
They now have a shot at achieving something special.
It’s going to be incredibly tough, make no bones about that. And the Reds are going to have to play much better than they have done in the last one-and-a-half games.
But Cooper spoke at the MKM Stadium about ensuring his team come away with “no regrets”, whatever happens.
Do that and they will give themselves a chance.