Spine-tingling. Goosebump-inducing. Special. The City Ground was something else on Saturday.
Bathed in glorious April sunshine, it was a cauldron of noise, a show of collective belief and unity, and a grand stage for a thrilling encounter. Whether or not there is an encore is still to be determined.
Mull of Kintyre was as loud as it has ever been. The place exploded when Sam Surridge gave Nottingham Forest a second-half lead. And the stands remained packed long after the final whistle as players and staff walked around the pitch, to deafening cheers and applause.
Read more: How the Reds rated against Swansea
Read more: Riverside views and St Andrew's sadness mark out best and worst Forest away days
Joe Worrall had called them all over, ensuring everyone took part. Just in case.
This is the team so many Reds fans have been waiting a long, long time for. A team to believe in and to be proud of. A team which wears its heart on its sleeve and has deep reserves of passion and spirit.
And these are the days football was all the poorer for being without during the dark times of behind-closed-doors matches. Whatever happens in the next week, this was one to savour.
It was a crucial win, too. Forest remain on the heels of Bournemouth. They’ll head to the south coast on Tuesday night in terrific form and full of confidence, with the roar from the crowd still ringing in their ears.
Hat-trick hero
One fit out-and-out striker? No problem. Surridge once again stepped up to the plate for the Reds.
He had a grin as wide as the Trent when he emerged carrying the match ball for his round of media interviews. And as well he might. It was a terrific treble.
The only slight disappointment - certainly for head coach Steve Cooper - was that he didn’t end up with more. He could have had a bagful.
Regardless of the ones which didn’t go in, Surridge is a wonderful finisher. His second was an absolute beauty, caressed into the back of the net with a lovely curl.
His first was a towering header. The third was good awareness on his part to pounce when a deflected Djed Spence cross bounced off the bar.
The January signing is proving to be a brilliant bit of business. He’s thriving on the banks of the Trent, with Cooper saying he is benefitting from “being given a home”.
Goalscorers are worth their weight in gold. Surridge looks like being a steal at little more than £2m.
Double assist
Written on Surridge’s match ball was ‘you’re welcome’ alongside James Garner’s signature. Behind every great forward and all that…
The Manchester United loanee set up two of his teammate’s goals. Like plenty of others in the side, he has hit another level in the second half of this campaign. He was a class act against Swansea, just as he has been on plenty of occasions.
Garner’s range of passing has always been excellent, and he has really started to master his set-pieces. It was his pinpoint delivery from a corner which set up Surridge’s first. And it was his surging run, followed by a perfectly-weighted pass, which led to the front man’s second.
He created other opportunities, too. A couple of his corners in the first half resulted in Worrall being thwarted by a good save and Surridge hitting the woodwork.
And he almost got on the scoresheet himself, seeing an effort blocked by Cyrus Christie early on. If he is to be given a chance back at his parent club in the summer, he will be a difficult man to replace.
Cooper’s masterplan
The Welshman explained afterwards that he had a clear game-plan against his former club. It worked perfectly. His tactical nous has been key to getting the team into this position, and it means they end the regular season having not lost a home league game in 2022.
Cooper was prepared to let the visitors see plenty of the ball - more possession than he would usually like opponents to have - believing they would concede chances, and goals. He said: “We controlled the game without the ball, that was the plan. It’s a good plan to control it without it and score five. The guys stuck to it brilliantly.”
Forest had 30 percent possession. But they still managed an assault on Swansea’s net, peppering it with 27 shots - 17 of which were on target. Some good saves by Andy Fisher helped to keep the final scoreline down.
Goal difference could be vital, though, when it comes to separating the Reds and Bournemouth, if they finish level on points. Currently, Forest have the upper hand, but just by one.
On to the next…
Nerves frayed? Fingernails bitten to stumps? Time to do it all again in a few days’ time.
Tuesday night on the south coast is arguably the Reds’ biggest game for two decades. The Cherries know a win would send them up. Anything else and it goes down to the final day.
It won’t be one for the faint-hearted. But while it might be tense in the stands, the Forest players have shown they can handle the big occasions. They will need to do so again.
They’ll need to do everything they have been doing. And more.
They are potentially two games away from being in the Premier League. Even if that doesn’t happen, keeping momentum going for the play-offs will be vital. There is no shortage of incentive.
Forest have provided countless memorable moments this term. From the drama of Bristol City to goal-gluts aplenty at home. From that joyous day at Blackpool to the gladiatorial effort at Fulham. Can they serve up a couple more? We’re about to find out.
