Fan-tasy Land

FOREST ROLLING BACK THE YEARS

- Simon Mullock

FORTY-FIVE years ago, when Brian Clough was leading Nottingham Forest to perhaps the most remarkable title triumph ever, the odyssey began with an openingday victory at Goodison Park.

It’s fair to say that even those Forest fans who still believe in miracles aren’t expecting their club to be troubling the engravers in May.

But at least the 3,000 supporters who swapped the banks of the Trent for Merseyside will have travelled home with their hopes well and truly fired that this won’t be just a one-season sojourn into the top flight.

They celebrated like it was the late 70s all over again when Brennan Johnson fired them into the lead nine minutes from time after Jordan Pickford had spilled Ryan Yates’ shot.

And although their hopes of another August win in Everton’s fading old stadium were dashed by Demarai Gray’s late equaliser, it would appear that the home supporters have more to keep them awake at nights.

Four points from three games is a decent return for Steve Cooper’s side.

Frank Lampard’s team beat the drop by the skin of their teeth last season.