The curtain came down on Nottingham Forest’s first season back in the top-flight for 23 years on Sunday - and what a season it was.
Steve Cooper’s side signed off with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace as Taiwo Awoniyi took his goal tally in the league into double-figures. And with survival having already been secured a week earlier, the Reds’ planning for another campaign in the Premier League can begin in earnest.
Fans won’t have too long to wait before the action begins again, with the 2023/24 term due to start on the weekend of August 12-13. In the meantime, here’s our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside.
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Hodgson honour
Before kick-off at Selhurst Park there was a warm hug between Cooper and Palace boss Roy Hodgson. Despite the latter’s long managerial career, it was the first time he had come up against Forest in a competitive fixture.
Whether he will do so again - even with the Reds remaining in the league - is uncertain. The 75-year-old’s contract is up this summer and he was giving little away about his future. Cooper, though, was pleased to have shared the touchline with him.
“I said to him at the end, it was an honour to come up against him,” said the Forest head coach. “Having only done four years of this first-team lark, for him to do as much as he’s done and have the career he’s had, I’ve just got so much admiration for him.
“He doesn’t need any kind words from me, of course. But at the same time, it was a privilege to come up against him.”
Century club
Cooper has explained how the Reds benefitted from a blend of youth and experience in the dressing room as they avoided the drop. And two of the squad’s most seasoned pros have reached a significant landmark.
Defender Serge Aurier and forward Andre Ayew reached the 100 Premier League appearances milestone as they helped Forest to safety. Some going.
The duo were each presented with a special keepsake from the league to mark their achievement, presented to them during training. Aurier made 24 league appearances in the Garibaldi this term, being one of the first names in the starting XI when fit. It hasn’t worked out quite so well for Ayew at the City Ground, however. He arrived in January and featured 13 times in total, with all but one of those from off the bench.
For those scratching their heads, trying to recall the 33-year-old’s sole start, it was in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United. He got a few minutes as a substitute at Palace, and it seems likely that will prove to be his final runout for the club as his short-term deal comes to an end.
Play-offs drama
Time has certainly flown since that incredible day at Wembley almost exactly a year ago. The one-year anniversary of Forest’s promotion success was on Monday and only served as a reminder of how much has happened since then - and how far the club have come.
This time around, it was a case of contrasting emotions for two Reds loanees in the Championship play-offs final. One was on the winning side, the other experienced the heartache of being on the wrong end of the result.
For goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, it was a second successive promotion, this time with Luton Town. He had come on as a late substitute for Brice Samba when Forest toppled Huddersfield Town in 2022, but on this occasion he was in from the start against Coventry City.
He had to face a penalty shootout as the score remained locked at 1-1 after extra-time. A Sky Blues side featuring on-loan Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, who came on in the 115th minute, was beaten 6-5 on spot-kicks.
“I’m really just so grateful for it,” Horvath told Luton Today. "It was a bit different compared to last year as this year was my 52nd game, so feelings, emotions, through the roof. It’s kind of hard to put into words, but I’m so happy for Luton, the club, organisation, the town, everybody."
Meanwhile, although his season was disrupted by injury, youngster Fin Back was at Wembley for Carlisle United’s victory over Stockport County in the League Two play-offs final. That one also went to a penalty shootout, with the Cumbrians winning it 5-4.
When fit, Back had impressed on loan at Carlisle and had played a key role. He posted on Twitter: “The best ending to a very challenging season. The love and support I have received from my teammates, staff, fans and all Cumbrians is something I will never forget and be forever grateful for. Carlisle, Thank you.”
Forest favourite
Brice Samba will always hold a special place in Forest fans’ hearts. And many take delight in seeing him excel across the Channel - even if they do wish he’d stayed put on the banks of the Trent.
The promotion hero has impressed in Ligue 1 this term as RC Lens pushed PSG close in the race for the title. He now has Champions League football to look forward to, having helped his team qualify for the first time in 21 years.
With 15 clean-sheets under his belt, he was named as the best goalkeeper in the division. “A perfect year collectively and individually with this trophy for best Ligue 1 goalkeeper,” Samba wrote on Twitter. “Only happiness can't wait for next season already. Thank you all for your messages I love you too much!!”
Some of his former Reds teammates were among those to congratulate him. Steve Cook replied: “Top guy as well.”
Former loanee Philip Zinckernagel wrote “magnifique” on a similar Instagram post from Samba. Cafu, Loic Mbe Soh, Lyle Taylor and George Shelvey also chipped in, as well as ex-Forest players such as Xande Silva, Yuri Ribeiro, John Bostock and Albert Adomah.
How would you sum up Forest's season? Have your say in the comments below
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