Steve Cooper really didn’t need words when asked how he was feeling as he made his way over for post-match media duties. The smile as wide as the Trent which stretched across his face said it all.
Still, the best part of 30,000 Nottingham Forest fans who had packed the City Ground to the rafters would no doubt echo his assessment.
“On top of the world,” grinned the Reds boss. As well he might be.
What a day. What a result. What an atmosphere.
Mull of Kintyre could have drowned out a jumbo jet taking off, it was that loud. Likewise, the roar which greeted goals from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson, not to mention Cooper’s fist-pumps afterwards.
Grabban lifted the Brian Clough Trophy up to the stands at full-time, before the lid promptly fell off and the base seemed to drop out of his hands. It was pretty much his only slip all afternoon.
Fortunately, Forest’s grip on the three points was rather tighter. Much like the one they have held on this fixture - unbeaten against Derby County since October 2017.
If that does prove to be the last East Midlands derby for a while, the Reds ensured the silverware will remain in Nottingham.
On the up
Amid all the off-field drama at the other end of Brian Clough Way, going into this match it was difficult to escape the notion these are two teams currently at polar opposites.
The ins and outs of the Rams’ struggles is a debate for elsewhere. But for Forest, Saturday shouldn’t simply be seen as getting one over their arch-rivals (again). Looking at it in isolation would be wrong. There is a wider context.
The 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, back in August, was the only point the Reds won in their first seven games of the season.
Used as a yardstick, this result shows exactly how far they have come. From then until now is like night and day. The belief, the performance, the team spirit. Completely different.
After those two defeats at the end of December, it was important Forest bounced back. They’ve done that with successive victories - three if you include the FA Cup success over Arsenal.
It was all about building momentum again, and they have the platform now to keep that going.
Tactical tweaks
It was a fine team display on the banks of the Trent, with some excellent individual showings in there, too.
But Cooper deserves plenty of plaudits for spotting something wasn’t working, and changing it.
That awareness, coupled with the players’ ability to quickly adapt, makes the Reds dangerous opponents for anyone.
Slow starts are something they do need to work on. However, there’s no doubt they looked much better once they switched from three at the back to a four.
Ryan Yates moved from being part of the defence into his more customary midfield spot, and seemed more comfortable for it. And James Garner was pushed further forward.
The Manchester United loanee went on to have a fabulous game. That was him back to his best; the James Garner of last season.
As a group, though, the change worked wonders for everyone. Forest got more of a grip on the game, having been sloppy early on, and they began to create more positive moments.
After further discussions at the break, the second half was even better.
Both goals were a treat to watch - for the build-up and for the finishes.
Injury woes
It was tempting to give a man of the match award to the giant bump on Brice Samba’s forehead, after it had collided with the boot of Tom Lawrence just before the break.
The goalkeeper himself continues to be a real fans’ favourite, though. Although opposition supporters might have a very different view…
His winding-up skills are the stuff of legend. That he ruffled feathers all while wearing a bandage around his head throughout the second half only seemed even more iconic.
It would have been a blow had he needed to come off at the interval, but there was little chance of him allowing that to happen.
There’s no getting away from the sucker-punch of losing Joe Worrall for six weeks, however.
Typical of the centre-back, he played on with three broken ribs against Millwall. No doubt he’d have been desperate to do the same against Derby, if not for medical instruction.
It’s a shame that the brick wall/back three of Worrall, Steve Cook and Scott McKenna has been brought to a halt (at least temporarily) before it really got going.
Forest coped without left-back Max Lowe for two months, though. The aforementioned versatility of players within the squad came into its own, as Jack Colback more often than not slotted in.
It might be that quality is needed again, if Cooper utilises Yates as cover for Worrall. But there is also Tobias Figueiredo, and potentially Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely - once they are fully recovered from their own injuries - as options.
Electric atmosphere
From the stunning Forza Garibaldi display before kick-off, to the applause which greeted Cooper as he made his way out early. From the wild scenes as Grabban and then Johnson found the net, to the scarf-waving and limbs flying as ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ boomed out after the final whistle, the City Ground was bouncing.
In fact, it was almost shaking towards the end. Such was the noise and the buzz from the crowd.
The best atmosphere at the stadium for a while. Special. One to savour.
Just can’t get enough? Nope. Keep this going, please.
