The win was so big and Nottingham Forest were so good that Depeche Mode got a second airing at full-time on Wednesday night.
And you know what? Even then, Reds fans still can’t get enough. Who can blame them.
Perhaps it’s because it really feels like something special is building at the City Ground. That sense just grows the more you watch this side play and the more they pick up results like this one - a fabulous 3-1 victory over a top-six rival.
Read more: How the Reds rated against QPR
Read more: Cooper's verdict on QPR
Team spirit and strength of character have been hallmarks of their rise up the Championship table; they’ve been on display so many times already this season. But the way Forest turned the game around against QPR was remarkable even by their own high standards.
They showed new-found depths of reserves when it came to fight, passion and mental fortitude. And on top of that, they played some terrific football.
Steve Cooper was right in his post-match assessment, Rangers couldn’t live with the Reds when they got into full flow. Pace, energy and some fabulous goals; they tore the visitors apart.
Incredible comeback
QPR looked broken by the end. Cooper’s men had well and truly pummelled them after the break.
It was a brilliant fightback from the hosts. Lesser teams could have felt sorry for themselves going in at half-time 1-0 down against the run of play and having missed some decent chances. Against tough opponents, too.
But this side is made of sterner stuff; they continue to pass almost every test thrown at them. The head coach worked his magic at the interval again. And the hosts put in one heck of a shift in the second half.
Djed Spence provided the spark they needed at just the right time, launching an absolute rocket to equalise. That one was pure class. ‘Shoot’ came the cry from the crowd when the right-back found himself in space. He did - and how. His star just continues to rise with every game.
From there, there was only one team in it. Rangers barely got a kick. It was all Forest.
Ryan Yates’ awesome goalscoring run continued. Four successive games now the midfielder has found the back of the net. If there was some disagreement over whether he got the final touch, it would be a brave soul who took this one away from him.
The third was a well-crafted move, with the three substitutions playing a part. Joe Lolley powered forward and slipped the ball to Sam Surridge, who squared a delicious ball across the box to Cafu. The Portuguese had made a great run to get there, it was a shame he didn’t manage to cap some positive individual displays by finding the net. But when his effort was saved, he had the presence of mind to tee up Brennan Johnson, who made no mistake.
Seven goals in their last two Championship games is some statement from the Reds. Given how tight the table is, you wouldn’t bet against anything being decided on goal difference. With +18, Forest’s is much better than those around them, essentially counting as an extra point - that could prove crucial.
Squad game
Having strength in depth is crucial in any promotion race. That is particularly going to be the case in a busy April, once the action resumes after the international break.
The Reds have a fair few players who haven’t seen too much game time but who are raring to go when they do get a chance. Lolley and Cafu are two such examples.
The latter has done well whenever he has got on the pitch. And Lolley was particularly bright on Wednesday, in what was only his second appearance of 2022.
The winger was singled out for praise by his manager post-match. If he can show even a fraction of the level he’s capable of in the final few weeks, he can make a huge difference. A flying Joe Lolley is a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.
Tobias Figueiredo came back into the side against Rangers, too, having not featured since Boxing Day. Replacing the injured Steve Cook in the back line, he recovered well after slipping as Andre Gray opened the scoring in the 40th minute.
Just as when Lewis Grabban suffered an injury at the end of January, there was some concern over how Forest would cope when they lost Cook and Max Lowe in Saturday’s 4-0 rout over Reading. All three are huge misses, but others are taking their opportunities to step up. Cook was there to watch his teammates, too, wearing a protective boot and using crutches; he took the time to meet with fans around the ground.
The versatility of Jack Colback deserves a mention on that front again. Just as he has before, the midfielder shifted to left wing-back in Lowe’s absence, and he barely put a foot wrong.
Injury concern
That squad depth could be tested again as the Reds await an update on Scott McKenna. Having just been hit by the Cook and Lowe blows at the weekend, the hope is that McKenna’s won’t be anything too serious.
The centre-back was forced off with 10 minutes to go at the City Ground after suffering a muscle problem. He had some treatment on the pitch and headed straight down the tunnel when he was substituted.
Whatever the outcome, Cooper’s ‘next man up’ approach continues to serve the squad well. Just as when they face obstacles in games, this team seems to relish the challenge of adversity.
“Injuries happen,” he said. “Scott has come off. I don’t know if he’s injured, and if so, for how long.
“It’s not nice, it’s not good and you don’t want it - especially with how you work and how you prepare players. But you get injuries, you look after them, and whoever comes in, that’s where the focus is.”
Nine unbeaten
Wednesday night was a hugely important victory. Forest are very loudly breathing down the necks of all those above them in the table. They are now one point below the play-off spots, with a game in hand.
Once their Championship campaign resumes after the international break, that’s when the race will really start. It’s going to be an exciting, gripping and nervy final few weeks. On this form, though, the Reds have nothing to fear and everything to play for. Nobody will want to face them if they perform to this kind of level.
Before then, of course, is the small matter of an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool. What a match that is shaping up to be. It’s enough to give you butterflies and goosebumps even a few days out.
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It’s one to savour and enjoy, whatever happens. Still, there’s magic in the City Ground air at the moment. You wouldn’t put anything past this group of players. As a great man famously once said, it's to be hoped nobody is stupid enough to write them off - either against their Premier League opponents or in the battle for promotion.
