“We shall overcome” read a banner passed through the bottom tier of the Trent End. “It’s time to bring the noise,” demanded a high-concept club social media post. In truth, the cacophony didn’t fully arrive until Chris Wood’s equaliser on the hour mark but once it did, the City Ground rocked to the sound of hope and defiance until a quiet descended at the final whistle.
The occasion demanded a statement performance from a team with just a single league victory in 2024 as Nottingham Forest’s first game since a four-point deduction was imposed, dropping them into the relegation zone. With an appeal launched Forest fans, more than willing to voice their anger with Premier League powers that be, the stage was set for a vindication that never arrived.
