It has been 23 often painful years for Nottingham Forest outside the Premier League. Never mind the Championship, there was relegation to League One, defeats in cup competition to Macclesfield and Chester and a play-off loss to Yeovil.
There had already been a play-off defeat to Sheffield United, then Blackpool, then Swansea. There's been a transfer embargo, a protest against a well meaning but incompetent owner and a pitch invasion for staying in the Championship.
Last week there was a different pitch invasion, one for finally winning a play-off tie to secure a first trip to Wembley in three decades. Now Forest take on Huddersfield in the play-off final on Sunday. If they win they are in the Premier League, but are they ready?
Forest correspondent Sarah Clapson has her say, along with Reds writer Matt Lee and Garibaldi Red podcast host Matt Davies. But we want you to join in the debate too. Have your say in the comments section...
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SARAH CLAPSON
Ninety minutes away from the Premier League. Ninety minutes from joining one of the most exclusive of clubs, with all the glory and riches that would bring. Are Nottingham Forest ready to make that step? Is anyone ever really ready?
It’s different for the yo-yo clubs who constantly flip-flop between the top two tiers. For anyone else, it’s about taking your chances when they come - they don’t necessarily come around too often.
If the Reds do end their top-flight exile, a lot of work would be required in the summer, but they are as ready for the leap as they will ever be. It’s a club made for the Premier League. The history, the size of the fanbase, the noise levels at the City Ground, the Forza Garibaldi displays - there’s no doubt English football’s glamour division would be better off with Forest in it.
There is a behind-the-scenes structure in place now which would support promotion. Dane Murphy has done some terrific work since being appointed as chief executive last summer. The recruitment and analytics set-up has been beefed up. And owner Evangelos Marinakis remains committed to the cause, having already put plenty of money into the club.
Forest have the right head coach in place now, too. Steve Cooper’s tactical nous and man-management skills have helped get the Reds to where they are, and you’d bet on him being able to do well at the next level.
The main area Forest would need to focus on, should they triumph at Wembley, is their squad. Some serious transfer business would need to be done. New players, for sure, but also trying to tie down those who have starred while on loan at the City Ground, and hanging on to the likes of Brennan Johnson and Joe Worrall; keeping together the group which has put the Reds on the verge of writing their names in club history.
MATT LEE
It's been a long time since Nottingham Forest have found themselves on the brink of the Premier League, and whether they are ready for it is a question that could be debated for countless hours.
What Steve Cooper has done at the City Ground is nothing short of remarkable. The Reds will have played 55 matches this season once the play-off final has finished, including a second-leg which went all the way to a penalty shoot-out too. He has taken them from bottom of the Championship to the play-off final. Within all that, Forest continue to show high levels of energy, attacking desire and motivation to succeed.
When considering if Forest are ready to go up, I end up reflecting on the Reds' FA Cup run. Under Cooper, Forest have put up a fair game and taken huge scalps against some of the Premier League's biggest sides - Arsenal, Leicester City, even Liverpool.
They never gave up against the Gunners, allowing Lewis Grabban to score in the final 10 minutes to take the win; they dominated from start to finish in a 4-1 demolition job of Leicester; and they were unfortunate to lose to a Jurgen Klopp side where every player had Champions League experience.
Reaching the Premier League will be a difficult task, survival there would arguably be an even bigger one. But reaching the top-flight would surely allow Cooper to retain some of his key players - Brennan Johnson and Joe Worrall to name but two - as well as leading to a higher calibre of signings both on loan and permanently too. It's a job I think they are certainly up for.
MATT DAVIES
Nottingham Forest hope to join Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League as they head into the play-off final. The two sides who won automatic promotion have an advantage in terms of time to prepare for the step up, as well as the benefit of Premier League experience and parachute payments.
Does that mean they will stay up next season and Forest will come back down if they beat Huddersfield? Not necessarily. Fulham cantered to promotion dominating games on the back of players who are too good for the Championship and perhaps not good enough for the Premier League.
Bournemouth also have excellent players like Dominic Solanke and Jefferson Lerma. They bought a ludicrous amount of players in January too - and still ended up being pushed all the way by Forest for the final automatic promotion spot. In short, both sides deserve credit, but having had such an edge in the Championship, do they have the tactical flexibility to flourish in the Premier League? They can answer that next season, but Forest have shown they do under Steve Cooper.
They've bossed games at home and they've been humble enough to have 30 percent possession away and nick a 1-0. Perhaps their greatest weapon is pace. Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence could trouble any defence - if they keep Spence, or course, or sign a viable alternative.
Keinan Davis is ready to step up if signed, as is goalkeeper Brice Samba, plus the back three, Ryan Yates and perhaps Sam Surridge. If Forest are able to bring back James Garner and Philip Zinkernagel and recruit smartly elsewhere then they have every chance. Max Lowe is a question mark after a good but injury hit loan.
Their biggest weapon though is Steve Cooper. The manager is just as ready as Johnson, Spence or any other player to make the step up. If Forest do go up then with this squad, Cooper and two or three experienced additions they could be next season's Brentford, not Norwich or Watford.
