It can carry you a long way, momentum. Right up to fifth in Nottingham Forest’s case.
And it might be that they don’t stop there. It would take a brave person to bet against them keeping this run going, putting more pressure on their rivals.
The Reds are on a roll. They are riding a wave of belief, team spirit and unity throughout the whole club.
Read more: How the Reds rated against Coventry
Read more: Re-live the action from the City Ground
Can it take them further? You wouldn’t rule anything out - although second does still look a big ask. But now Forest are in the top-six, the focus has got to be on staying there.
Keep picking up results one way or another, just like they did against Coventry City, and then see what happens. See where that takes them.
Forest were not at their best against the Sky Blues. But they found a way to win. Fairly comfortably in the end, too, even though the visitors made it tough for them.
Steve Cooper’s side, though, are relentless. They do not give in. And they have enough quality to hurt the opposition when it counts.
On the up
Cooper insisted afterwards that being in the top-six now doesn’t count for anything at the moment. It’s whether you are there after the final game of the season that matters.
He’s right, of course. But there’s no question going into the play-off places will only add to the buzz and feeling of optimism around the City Ground.
And now they are there, the aim is to build on that platform in the final eight games. Try to push higher. Extend this unbeaten run.
The manager won’t allow anybody to get ahead of themselves. But the Reds have got the bit between their teeth now.
It was an important game on Wednesday, the first of a double-header at home. Coventry are no mugs. That the hosts came through this particular test should give them another shot of confidence.
Fantastic Figueiredo
Tobias Figueiredo has had his critics during his time Trentside. When Steve Cook and then Scott McKenna picked up injuries, there was concern among some fans about the Portuguese coming into the side.
He has been excellent in the last four games, though. And on Wednesday night, he was terrific. Solid as a rock; composed and calm when he needed to be.
The visitors had spells of possession, in the first half especially, and they did cause Forest problems. However, they were limited to very few chances - and Figueiredo played no small part in that, being right at the heart of the defence.
The back line gave very little away. The saves Brice Samba did have to make were pretty comfortable ones.
Cooper places a lot of emphasis on generally sticking with a settled side. So it poses the question of whether Cook comes straight back into the XI when he is available again.
Going on scoring sprees is important for boosting goal difference. But don’t underestimate the importance clean-sheets can play in that, too.
Midfield master
Bruno Fernandes, no less, last week picked out James Garner as the Manchester United academy player he really looks forward to playing with. It’s easy to see why.
Garner has got better and better this season. He’s showing so many different elements to his game and can dominate in the centre of the pitch.
Along with Figueiredo, Keinan Davis and the ever-consistent Scott McKenna, he really stood out against the Sky Blues. He scored a fabulous goal, too.
Davis was immense in the build-up. The striker had lumps kicked out of him all night as that seemed to be Coventry’s only way of trying to stop him. It takes more than that, though, and he used his strength and skill to tee up Garner.
The finish was exquisite. Lashed into the roof of the net with ferocity.
The Reds needed it, too. Brennan Johnson had put them in front in the first half, but with their opponents not going away, a second really killed off the game.
Options aplenty
Squads can come into their own at this stage of a campaign. Forest have plenty of strength in theirs.
Just as for Blackpool at the weekend, Cooper made the double-substitution of Sam Surridge and Lewis Grabban, providing no let-up for the weary visitors. That’s got to be a nightmare for any defenders, seeing those two come on together, having already been run ragged by Davis.
Both Grabban (if/when he is ready) and Surridge could easily slot into the starting XI, too. Not that it would be easy to leave out Davis - he is so influential in games.
Likewise, Joe Lolley pressed his case again for getting back into the line-up. He was a livewire from off the bench.
The goalkeeper dilemma seems to have been solved, with Samba keeping his place. But that Ethan Horvath can feel hard done by to be back on the bench shows the Reds are strong in that department, too.
