Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw says the Reds are enjoying an "unbelievable" period having been awoken from their "sleeping giant" status.
The Reds take on Huddersfield Town on Sunday (May 29) at Wembley Stadium with a prized place in the Premier League for the victors. Earnshaw, who was part of the Forest side which reached the play-offs in 2009/10 and 2010/11, told Sky Sports that the Reds fans deserve the opportunity to reach the Premier League after a 23-year absence from the top-flight.
Should Forest win promotion at Wembley, the Reds would reap financial rewards of at least £170 million and boss Steve Cooper would make himself a club legend having taken the club from bottom of the Championship to the play-offs.
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"It's unbelievable what's going on at that club," he said. "I was there at an amazing time, we were the last ones to feel this kind of promotion energy. We were in the play-offs twice. This is a club which everyone knows is huge yet it's a sleeping giant.
"This year it has awoken and is ready to go. Through hard work they are in the position of reaching the Premier League which is where they deserve to be. The fans deserve this, they have incredible fans. All over the world there are huge Forest fans. They remind me of all our times.
"This is the time for the fans. I would hope and love to see them go up."
He added: "Everyone forgets that Forest were bottom of the league in September when Cooper took over. They were disorganised and very poor. It was a difficult time and nobody would have predicted Forest to do anything this season. They were facing relegation and people wondered where the club was going.
"What Steve Cooper has done is change the entire club: the idea, the philosophy and and also told people to wake up. The biggest thing he has done is work out the best way for the team to play and compete. They have competed all year and I think he has brought harmony and togetherness to the club.
"It's a great club, but you need people pushing in the same direction and that's what he's done. It's something special he's done here."
