It was the big day. Nothing would take the shine off Nottingham Forest's return to the top flight after 23 years - the travelling fans singing their heart out was testament to that.
But, alas, Nottingham Forest lost 2-0 at Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday and, as Steve Cooper said himself, the home side "deserved" to win. How long that top flight honeymoon period lasts will be determined by how well Forest do on the pitch - and there is much room for improvement.
Let's keep in context though that this is a very new Forest side - a total of eight players made their professional debuts for the club through the 90 minutes. But the Reds were shown by a dominant Magpies side what they will need if they are to swim among the big fish in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Steve Cooper makes honest Nottingham Forest admission after Newcastle defeat
Forest looking to play on the counter
Through the game, Forest seemed to try and play more on the counter-attack, knowing that Eddie Howe's Newcastle would be set up to control possession and press. And the Magpies did this with aplomb, and were quite wasteful truth be told in front of goal.
The Reds struggled to retain possession, and were overrun in the midfield. Lewis O'Brien and Jack Colback struggled to make an impact through the game, and the three in the Newcastle midfield were able to knock it around them and seemingly get forward at will.
Not all teams will play this way against Forest - and Newcastle United are definitely a team in the ascendency. But that style of play could be a warning shot of what to expect from sides in the Premier League that are stronger, and if teams are more clinical, Forest will have to tighten up their ball retention and through the midfield.
Henderson saves
Although Forest lost 2-0, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do about the first goal - it was a simply stunning, sensational 25 yard strike that broke the deadlock just before the hour mark. He was cheekily chipped by Callum Wilson for the second.
But his saves up until the opener were solid. He held on to everything that he could, resisting the urge to punch every time the ball came near him which was quite refreshing, and when he needed to parry shots, he did either out of play or to a team-mate.
His distribution was not too bad either, and he looked comfortable with the ball at his feet when pressed. Unfortunately, in a 2-0 loss, when the goalkeeper deserves a mention, that kind of sums up Forest's performance.
Niakhate uncomfortable on the ball
One thing that stood out immediately in the opening stages of the match was how nervous Moussa Niakhate seemed to be in the middle of the back three. Newcastle's attackers seemed to find joy against Niakhate, pressing him when he was in possession, and he, at times, made Henderson's life difficult.
This came to the fore when he had the ball in the first half, attempted to pass and this was charged down by Callum Wilson. Wilson ran his heart out to try and beat Henderson who was off his line, but Henderson managed to gather comfortably and there was no threat of a goal in the end.
But this again was another warning shot, showing that that amount of time on the ball in the Premier League will not be conceded. It would seem Niakhate started because Steve Cook picked up a minor injury in preparation for the game.
Shape change
Soon after Forest conceded the first goal, Taiwo Awoniyi came on for Sam Surridge, and although Brennan Johnson had been playing alongside Surridge up front, there seemed to be a subtle shape change. It went from 3-4-1-2 to 3-4-2-1.
This may not sound like the biggest change in the world, but it came as no coincidence that Forest enjoyed their strongest spell of possession through the match during this phase, until the second goal went in and the shape changed again to a 4-3-3. In the 3-4-2-1, Jesse Lingard moved wider and Johnson dropped a little deeper, and this seemed to help connect the midfield to the attack which Forest were not previously able to do.
Granted, chances were still at a premium and Awoniyi struggled to make an impact. But the improved connection offered a glimpse that two players playing either side of a lone striker could help improve the link up play, bringing arguably the two most dangerous attackers Forest have into the fore.
And with Johnson running with the ball at defenders, that could prove a nightmare for other sides going forward. Lingard would relish that too.
The fans - and what it could mean for home form
The travelling supporters deserve a special mention. A 300-mile round trip to see Forest back in the Premier League for the first time in 30 years, and boy did they let us know they were there.
They did not stop singing all game. At times, they were drowning out the unwavering and incredibly strong and faithful Geordie support from up in the Gods.
If that's what it's like on the road, just imagine what it will be like next time out at home to West Ham United - teams will not enjoy coming to the City Ground. The fans have already shown that they have the power to be the 12th man through this season, and that's what could prove the difference come the end of the season.
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