Forest Show The Art Of Winning Against The Odds

Those disappointed thrill-seekers looking for more drama from the English domestic season might wish to switch attention to Nottingham Forest.

- John Brewin

This season's surprise package are in the hunt for a coveted Champions League spot, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

On April 27, Forest face a strong City in the FA Cup semi-finals. Forest can pursue the trophy that eluded even their iconic manager Brian Clough. The club have won the FA Cup twice, most recently in 1959, when Roy Dwight, cousin of Reginald Dwight (Elton John), was among the scorers in the final.

These are high times indeed for a club that spent 1999 to 2022 locked outside the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo, a manager previously discarded by Tottenham Hotspur, has similar ugly-duckling qualities to the East Midlands club he took over midway through last season. Steve Cooper remains a hero to many Forest fans for returning the club to the top tier, but Nuno has earned equal affection.