Midfielder Ryan Yates says it would be "devastating" if Nottingham Forest don’t end this season in the top six after the great progress they have made.
Head coach Steve Cooper has overseen a remarkable upturn in fortunes since he arrived at the City Ground in September, with the Reds going from rock-bottom of the Championship to promotion contenders.
They dropped out of the play-off spots after Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Stoke City, having climbed into them for the first time with a midweek win at Blackburn Rovers.
But with the table particularly tight, Yates feels there is a real opportunity for a special season on the banks of the Trent.
Samba warning
Nottingham Forest legend Garry Birtles has warned goalkeeper Brice Samba must learn his lesson, after being sent off against Stoke City.
The Reds stopper received a straight red card for swatting Phil Jagielka around the back of the head in the 85th minute at the City Ground.
Not only did it leave his team down to 10 men, it gave the Potters a penalty, from which Lewis Baker scored to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.
And with all three substitutes having been made, centre-back Joe Worrall had to replace Samba in goal.
It was left to Ryan Yates to spare his keeper’s blushes as the midfielder rescued a point with a header in stoppage time.
'On the radar'
Steve Cooper’s work at Nottingham Forest is putting him "on the radar" of other clubs, according to one report.
The Welshman has transformed the Reds’ fortunes since replacing Chris Hughton at the City Ground back in September.
Forest were rock-bottom of the table, with one point from their first seven Championship games, when he took charge.
Almost five months later, they are now challenging for promotion - sitting in seventh spot, just two points below sixth-placed Middlesbrough.
Transfer quality
Defender Max Lowe believes the quality additions Nottingham Forest made in the January transfer window can make a difference in their promotion push.
Keinan Davis, Steve Cook and Sam Surridge have all shown plenty of promise since joining the Reds last month, while Richie Laryea and Jonathan Panzo are still waiting to make their debuts.
Davis and Cook have become mainstays of the starting XI, and Surridge has looked bright in his three substitute appearances so far - winning a penalty against Blackburn Rovers and helping to set up the last-minute equaliser against Stoke City on Saturday.
Lowe has also become a key player, having joined Forest on loan from Sheffield United in the summer, playing a big part in their transformation of fortunes under Steve Cooper.
