A day I will never forget is 7 May 2017. Sunshine on Trentside for the last game of the season against Ipswich and Forest needed a win to secure our Championship status.
Nerves were on edge, particularly at 0-0 when a Dominic Samuel shot deflected, forcing Jordan Smith into a magnificent save. After that, Forest rallied and went into half-time 1-0 up after former Notts County stopper, Bartosz Bialkowski upended Jamie Ward on 43 minutes.
Forest came out much more settled in the second period and quickly took control. Shots from Ward and Assombalonga preludes to eventually running out 3-0 winners with a strikes form Chris Cohen and Assombalonga (2). Forest were safe, and the fans were ecstatic!
'It just felt like the weight of the world was off your shoulders'published at 15:18 25 May
15:18 25 May
Image source, Getty Images
Midfielder Ryan Yates says he felt an immense pressure release when Nottingham Forest beat Arsenal 1-0 last weekend to secure their place in the Premier League.
He told BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray what was going through his head during the final minutes of the game.
Yates told the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast: "For me sometimes in the game you have those feelings like 'oh imagine if we win this game' but I was so focused on getting the job done on Saturday literally not until that final whistle blew was I even letting any thoughts come into my head about anything.
"I was just so determined, focused and obviously when the whistle went I saw Joe Worrall tearing up so I ran over gave him a big hug, then I started crying.
"I just think because it was so much pressure it just felt like the weight of the world was off your shoulders."
The 25-year-old, who has been at the club since 2005, played a key role in Forest's promotion-winning side.
He added: "When you've been at the club so long you just know how many people it affects, people's lives it can affect and obviously the City Ground was absolutely unbelievable on Saturday.
"I'd even say better than the West Ham game, they just didn't stop singing all game. It gives me goose bumps now thinking about that. It made everything worthwhile on Saturday."
🎧 'If Yatesy is on the podcast we're in the Trent'published at 14:17 25 May
14:17 25 May
A new episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is now available.
In the latest episode David and Colin discuss Nottingham Forest staying up with a game to spare after beating Arsenal1-0 and Colin chats to midfielder Ryan Yates.
One-match touchline bans for Sanz and Tatepublished at 18:00 24 May
18:00 24 May
Simon Stone, BBC Sport
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Pablo Sanz and Nottingham Forest's Alan Tate have been given one-match touchline bans and £6,000 fines for misconduct.
It was alleged that the assistant managers’ behaviour during the 52nd minute of their Premier League game on Saturday 1 April was improper and/or violent.
Pablo Sanz admitted that his behaviour was improper, and Alan Tate admitted that his behaviour was improper and/or violent.
An independent Regulatory Commission found these charges to be proven and imposed their sanctions following a hearing.
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest: Pick of the statspublished at 16:01 24 May
16:01 24 May
Crystal Palace have won just one of their past nine home league games against Nottingham Forest (D4 L4). This is the first time they're hosting them since September 2012 (1-1), and the first time in the Premier League since April 1995 (1-2).
Only Bournemouth (15) have conceded more headed goals than Crystal Palace (14) in the Premier League this season, with the Eagles only shipping more in a single campaign in 1994-95 (16).
Eberechi Eze has been involved in 14 goals in 37 Premier League games this season (10 goals, 4 assists), more than any other Crystal Palace player. Half of these have come in his last eight appearances (6 goals, 1 assist).
This phrase can be defined as rising against all odds in the most inconceivable way possible.
Potential drawbacks to 'doing a Forest' include unrelenting injuries, ongoing squad integration and that goal difference.
We were tipped to imitate other teams' failures, but the Forest way is just as rewarding as it is habitual. Beating three teams in the top six and drawing against title winners, at home, was surely always part of the plan.
Steve Cooper is our gift that keeps on giving.
An immaculate defensive display against Arsenal marked the culmination of our season at the fortress.
A season of experimentation, patience and exertion finally erupted. There were celebratory scenes involving a sea of red scarves, bouncing supporters, joyous tears and a beaming team.
Now that we've dipped our toes in the water, or rather dived in head first, the league we've shied away from for decades has gained familiarity once more. The adjustment period was a test of resilience, when you spend enough time away from something it changes considerably. Over time, long-standing neighbours praised our return as refreshing - with it we brought authenticity and spirit.
Last year's 'welcome back' now feels like we've been welcomed back home.
Cooper completes 'impossible task'published at 09:18 23 May
09:18 23 May
Image source, Reuters
Steve Cooper has completed an "impossible task" by keeping Nottingham Forest in the top flight amid an influx of new players at the club this season, according to former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, ex-Chelsea player Sutton said: "I think it's been an impossible task for him this season, when you get all of these new signings coming in and thrown together, to expect him to build a fluid team from that.
"The way he [Cooper] has set the team up - and there's been a bit on trial and error throughout the season - it's been miracle stuff.
"Looking forward, how do they move on next season? What's going to be the process over the summer? Is there going to be a big overhaul of players once again? It's making that next step.
"The owner has got a reputation of hiring and firing managers, so I think Steve Cooper is in a really strong position now, but he must get his own way in terms of the way he wants to move this club on this summer. He's in a strong position because he's kept the club in the Premier League and the supporters love him."
Forest took 30 points from their 19 home games, with the home crowd at the City Ground also drawing praise for their role in Forest's survival.
Ex-England defender Micah Richards added: "You've got to give it to the fans, the way they galvanised the squad.
"Having been to the ground to watch a game earlier in the season, it's one of the best atmospheres I've seen in the Premier League and they use that to their advantage.
"Of course they were underdogs. I just think they got all of the little things right and it was their spirit and fight, all brought together by the manager who had a cool and calm head across the season."
Transfer gossip: Forest keen to make Navas and Lodi deals permanentpublished at 08:03 23 May
08:03 23 May
Nottingham Forest are keen to keep hold of goalkeeper Keylor Navas and left-back Renan Lodi, who have been on loan from Paris St-Germain and Atletico Madrid respectively. (90min, external)
Forest survived despite 'chaos' at the start of the season - Nevinpublished at 09:27 22 May
09:27 22 May
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest recovered from "chaos" at the start of the season to secure Premier League survival, says former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin.
Forest signed 22 players in the summer and were bottom of the table after eight games when they backed under-pressure manager Steve Cooper with a new contract.
"You have to look at an entire season and a season that started in what looked like a chaos," Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"It really did look like chaos. So many players - too many players. Are they all good enough? Will anyone be able to make a team out of this group?
"But they stuck by them, and just now and again you just have to accept that it'll take a little while to build - so they did take a little while to build."
Support towards Cooper never wavered from Forest supporters and Nevin described the scene at the City Ground as he took in the adulation from the stands.
"I don't think a Forest fan has left," he added.
"This place is still exactly the same as it was when that final whistle went."
A 'wonderful story', 'tears of joy and pride' and Cooper's 'legendary status'published at 12:54 21 May
12:54 21 May
We asked you to tell us how you are feeling about Nottingham Forest securing Premier League survival.
All of those signings, all of the adjustments, the knitting together of a team - a team who have proven themselves good enough to stay in the top flight.
Here are some of your comments:
Tim: In two years, Steve Cooper has clinched legendary status as a Forest manager. From bottom of the Championship to cloud nine. And Nottingham is a proper football city, deserving of a Premier League club. What a month of May it’s been for us!
Andrew: What a wonderful story we’ve created - to stick with our coach, who deserved our support for the great work he has done against massive obstacles, and to be rewarded with survival. I’m so chuffed for the gaffer. Well done to our owner for bravely bucking the trend and sticking by our manager. Well done, Steve, and thank you for what you have done!
Gary: Tears of absolute joy and pride. The players worked wonders. Forest stuck to the task with 100% commitment and concentration. No more waking up in the night working out the possible league table permutations for me.
James: Wow. Simply wow. Just when you think this team can do no more, out pops yet another memorable moment in the club's history. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were celebrating Chris Cohen keeping us in the Championship with ‘that goal’. Memorable moments seemed limited to every other season and mere scraps and crumbs back then. Well, not any more!
Lee: It’s super easy to be proud of the manager and the team right now, but I’ve never been more proud of the Forest fans for never giving up, sticking by the manager and making it so clear that he’s our guy. They’ve made the atmosphere incredible and long may it continue. Thank you, Stevie Cooper. Thank you, players. Thank you, Forest faithful.
Gibbs-White is 'the difference'published at 22:54 20 May
22:54 20 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Jermaine Jenas on Match of the Day: "Huge credit has to go to Steve Cooper. To get that group together and organised, drilled and ready to perform in such a big game.
"This was a team he finally settled on and didn’t change. Morgan Gibbs-White might be Player of the Year for Forest. He’s a really special talent. He is the difference."
Awoniyi's crucial goals - key statspublished at 21:57 20 May
21:57 20 May
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest had just 18% possession against Arsenal, the lowest tally on record (since 2003-04) for a winning team in a Premier League match.
Taiwo Awoniyi has scored in seven different Premier League games this season, putting Nottingham Forest 1-0 ahead in every one.
Awoniyi's 10 goals have been worth 12 points to Nottingham Forest, the seventh highest total of any Premier League player this term.
Forest have won three consecutive home games against Arsenal in all competitions for the first time since September 1986.
'In an era when it is easy to give up on people our supporters have done the opposite'published at 20:49 20 May
20:49 20 May
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, speaking to MOTD about the emotions he has gone through: "All of them and a million other things as well. Really proud of the club, supporters and players and really proud of that performance. We limited to them to very little, incredible desire and we got over the line. It was everything we wished for from today. It is what the players and the supporters particularly deserve.
"I knew coming into the season we would experience everything, wins, losses, good runs and poor runs. I knew we had to be consistent. It was really difficult for the players, a new group put together and to have the spirit we have tells you the characters we have in that dressing room.
"You can't compare it to anything else. Staying the league, signing as many players we did and the injuries, which we didn't shout about. For us to end up feeling like we have done alright this year is good because you can hear the noise, it is really good.
"This allows us to continue to build and that is what I am focused on. This club is so special and everything needs to be at a really high level. This allows us to continue to grow and to be the club we want to be.
"I am proud to work here. There is something unique about this club that captures the imagination with the history and the atmosphere. The supporters have been incredible and I and my family are indebted to them. In an era when it is easy to give up on people our supporters have done the opposite."
'I think I took a wise decision'published at 20:42 20 May
20:42 20 May
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis says he made a "wise decision" in supporting Steve Cooper during difficult spells this season.
Cooper's job was said to be in the balance on several occasions as Forest battled relegation during a campaign in which they secured their top-flight status by beating Arsenal on Saturday.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Forest owner referenced other relegation candidates and said: "All the other teams, without exception, other than Forest, changed their coach, even twice. It’s a very serious decision to change a coach.
"I supported him as much as I could. To change a coach you need to bring someone better. I think I took a wise decision and supported Steve, even though of course you may disagree. That is also helpful as out of those dialogues and conversations I think each party corrects loose ends. We are happy, we celebrate and now we have time to schedule ahead seriously."
Image source, Getty Images
