Such is the buzz around Nottingham Forest at the minute, the strains of “I just can’t get enough” could still be heard at the final whistle - despite being 120 miles from home.
One opportunistic travelling fan had somehow managed to get a fair-sized stereo into the ground and blared out what is fast becoming the soundtrack of the Reds’ season at the final whistle.
Whether it had been brought along simply in hope or with expectation of being deployed is a moot point. Either way, it was a bold move.
Head coach Steve Cooper dismissed any notion of calling it a landmark victory, but it certainly felt like something of a statement - one which will no doubt have been noted by the rest of their rivals.
Blackburn Rovers were second prior to kick-off, and had lost just twice at home in the Championship. They also had a certain Ben Brereton-Diaz in their XI, with a haul of 20 league goals already.
The away supporters enjoyed giving him a bit of stick. “You used to play for a big club,” they chanted at the ex-Red, followed by “Diaz, Diaz what’s the score?” towards the end.
As Cooper himself pointed out, Wednesday night’s 2-0 win was the first time Forest have beaten a team in the top three for two years - something he talked through with his squad in the build-up, setting the challenge of putting that statistic right.
That they did also meant a move into the top six for the first time this term.It might not count for anything at this stage, but it is still a significant hurdle to pass, especially when you factor in the start to the campaign.
When presented with such an opportunity previously, Forest had fluffed their lines. At Ewood Park, they were ice-cold. And they needed to be, as Blackburn did their best to get under their visitors’ skin - almost literally.
There was plenty of rough treatment doled out by the hosts. The only way they seemed able to stop the incredibly impressive Keinan Davis was to hack him down, and even that didn’t work. James Garner was on the receiving end of a hefty challenge, and a foul on Jack Colback in the second half resulted in Darragh Lenihan being sent off.
In a frantic game that was sometimes played right on the edge, the Reds did well to keep their heads. It’s a sign of the mental fortitude they have developed. They didn’t become embroiled in that particular dogfight - even when Brice Samba appeared to have a bottle thrown in his direction from the stands.
The shot-stopper pulled off some strong saves when he had to, including a terrific one to keep out John Buckley early on. It was a clean-sheet well-earned, with Scott McKenna making a couple of crucial goal-saving clearances and Steve Cook weighing in with some vital interventions.
That’s the kind of solid foundation and attitude needed to keep challenging at the top. But what really marks Forest out as the real deal when it comes to being in the promotion mix is their attacking play.
They didn’t hold back at Blackburn. They were never going to make the trip with their eyes on a point against tough opponents, they wanted all three.
They could have won it more comfortably, too, with a little more precision or better decision-making.
Little more than a couple of weeks ago, there was a big question mark over how this side would cope without Lewis Grabban.
The 34-year-old, sidelined for two months with an ankle injury, would be a big miss for anyone. He still is for Cooper’s side, but other players are seizing the opportunity his absence presents.
Not least Davis.
The Aston Villa loanee has made a terrific impact already, and he was imperious against Rovers. There’s no question he will be a key player in this final stretch of the season.
The front man shrugged off three hangers-on in the build-up to the opener, burst forward, was brought down 25 yards from goal but picked himself up and slipped the ball through for Garner.
The subsequent finish was just as good, with the midfielder checking himself before rolling the ball beyond Thomas Kaminski. Garner seemed to enjoy the celebration, too, raising his finger to his lips in front of the home crowd.
The one criticism of the Reds would be that they didn’t then kill the game off earlier. They had chances, but Rovers also still looked dangerous - even when they went down to 10 men soon after the restart. The pace was breathless at times.
Not until added time did Forest get their second.
Deadline day signing Sam Surridge is being eased into things, with this his second substitute appearance. Like Davis, though, he’s showing he can have a part to play. The club’s January business is delivering on its potential.
Hanging on to Brennan Johnson was also a huge part of last month’s work, and the youngster’s star continues to rise at almost meteoric rate.
Surridge was a livewire when he came on, getting into some good positions. Striker’s instinct took over on one occasion, when he went for goal rather than square to Johnson. But he earned a penalty when he burst into the area late on.
Johnson was the one to coolly dispatch it.
Cooper was right when he said in his post-match press conference that being in the top six at this point doesn’t earn any prizes. But it still felt like a big moment.
And one marked by a big tune.
