COMMENT: The Reds are on the march. No, not United. Not even Liverpool. But Forest. The new Forest. Though still retaining - and strengthening - it's links to it's glorious past.
You can sense it. Even see it. Nottingham Forest are back - and they're here to stay. There's been false dawns in the past, of course. But this is different. It feels different. That result at Chelsea was a surprise, but it was no shock. Forest - this Forest - are on the rise.
No-one scoffs now. There's no-one questioning Forest's transfer policy. News of that stunning seven deal deadline day was a jolt, sure. But there was no derision. No mocking. Evangelos Marinakis' bankrolling of another huge summer market campaign now (almost) admired by the cynics in the press. Many rubbished it. Many ridiculed it. But the Forest owner's transfer policy was proven right last season.
Buy quality. Buy depth. And in numbers. It was a policy from Marinakis that saw Forest over the line last season. And for this column, it was always the right approach. Forest, after so many years outside the top-flight, needed an upgrade in personnel. They needed quality. Premier League know-how. And they needed it quickly. There's no room - never mind time - to build gradually for promoted clubs. The change needed to be instant - which is exactly how Marinakis tackled it. You just wonder where Leeds United would be if they'd followed the same route.
As we say, Forest and their owner were derided for this policy last season. But they're not now. It's silence. Crickets. Which largely stretches also to Marinakis' support of manager Steve Cooper.
A bright, ball-playing local coach. A man who came through the FA's system. And one whom Marinakis chose to stand by when things weren't going to plan. You'd think his support of Cooper in those tough times would see Marinakis celebrated. A foreign owner standing by his English manager - even under the threat of relegation? Yet, the effort has barely been recognised. But no matter. The reward for Marinakis is what we witnessed on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. And given the performance at Old Trafford the previous week, that Chelsea result will be no one-off.
Forest are again recognisable. You don't need to look far to see the link between today's club and the one celebrated around the world 30 years ago.
For some, Brennan Johnson's sale to Tottenham would be a blow. But understandably, he went with the best wishes of Marinakis. A record fee was generated. But more importantly, Johnson's departure again marked the academy as one which can produce such talent. Where Neil Webb was sold to Manchester United. And Nigel Clough to Liverpool. Johnson has now, three decades later, left for Tottenham. As Marinakis would state in this week's open letter, Johnson "... provided his boyhood club with the financial means to reinvest and continue to grow". The place is transforming - and for the better.
Even in today's global talent market. Where Forest have so successfully utilized their scouting network. There's still room for those local heroes. For Joe Worrall think Steve Chettle. For Ryan Yates think Brian Rice. For Scott McKenna, try Colin Foster. Okay, okay, we're stretching it a bit. But that prototype of a certain Forest player is there. Grit. Pride. And no little skill. Yes, where Brian Clough went to Grantham for Gary Crosby, Cooper had to go to Brazil for Danilo. But as we say, this Forest are recognisable. They play as a Forest team. You can identify - and celebrate - multiple threads between today's squad and Cloughie's.
And crucially, the City Ground - now 125 years old - remains. A stadium that on those midweek, winter nights, produces an atmosphere unique to the game. You don't just feel it, you can see it shimmer and tremor before you when the place is at full capacity.
Last month, Tribalfootball.com spoke with Wynton Rufer, the Werder Bremen great. The Kiwi almost burst with pride when discussing one of his academy graduates, Chris Wood, and the fact that he'd played for two of the game's great, traditional clubs - Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Rufer played in that era of Clough. Like for so many of his peers, the Forest name conjures great memories. It's a club that matters.
“Our vision for the club is clear and unwavering: we are on a path to reestablish Nottingham Forest as a dominant force in English football," declared Marinakis this week.
"This journey is not just about the short-term; it's about building a sustainable future. We are investing in youth development, nurturing young talent, and building a squad that can compete at the highest level for years to come."
There's no-one doubting that vision now.
