Nottingham Forest 3 - 1 Cheltenham Town

After the thrill of seeing us upset Carlisle's impressive sequence at Brunton Park midweek, the test now was to build on that so that even if hopes of automatic promotion were to disappear, we might be putting together a run of form to take us into the play-offs, and hopefully beyond.

At the forefront of my mind, however, was the possibility of repeating the sequence we'd achieved over Easter by doing the hard bit by winning at Sixfields then managing a disappointing draw at home to Brighton three days later. Surely we were not going to make that mistake again?

Funnily enough that thought didn't come flooding back even when Cheltenham took a surprise lead after 20 minutes having been chasing shadows from the kick-off. We'd been looking assured on the ball and had denied Cheltenham possession for long periods. We were also getting some early shots on goal too, most notably when Kelvin Wilson showed us a side to him we hadn't seen before when he took the ball forward and, looking like he'd run himself into dead-end street decided on a direct approach by unleashing a superb 40-yarder which took a save at full stretch by Town 'keeper Higgs to push over the bar.

All very encouraging then. With Garath McCleary looking impressive and dangerous in his first start in a red shirt, combined with excellent support from Brett Ormerod, a goal seemed only a matter of time.

Well, it came all right. What no-one had bothered to tell the script writer was which end. A clearance was sold short sent back towards Steven Gillespie who charged forward in acres of space, and with only Smudge to beat. We could only look on in horror as his shot hit the inside of the far post and skidded obliquely over the line. Oops!

Momentary lapse, maybe. Complacency? Who knows. But it provided the timely wake-up call we needed, and five minutes later we were deservedly level when Sammy sent a perfect cross towards Agogo who, for once was in a forward position. Ball under control, quick turn and BLAM! Scores level.

And from that point things just got better as we assumed control of proceedings and shortly before half time took the lead when McGugan, playing once more like we know he is well capable and continuing where he left off on Tuesday night, sent in an impressive cross which found McCleary's head. His effort struck the crossbar, but Chambo was still following up, and took his tally to six league goals for the season and two in as many games by sticking his foot out at just the right time. At last, someone's remembered to tell the boys that pouring players forward increases the likelihood of sticking the ball in the net!

The only fly in the ointment up to this point had occurred just a couple of minutes before we took the lead when Jules (who'd been excellent as ever) pulled up clutching his hamstring and had to be replaced by Kris Commons, one of a strong-looking bench today, giving some of the younger players a real chance to shine.

Two minutes after the break though, and a chance for one of the more established to show us what they're made of. One of the topics of conversation in the pub before the game centred around Junior Agogo not being the same player he was since the African Nations, and one theory suggested the name Agogo might have been lost in the Heathrow Terminal 5 baggage fiasco on his way back from Africa, leaving us with a player sharing the name (and one or two characteristics) with a petulant prima donna who has appeared here in D3rby and Walsall colours. Happily on today's performance it looked as though the Agogo part had found its way through the system and been returned to its rightful owner, and demonstrated why several clubs both in this country and Europe are tracking him at the moment when he made a charge towards the right hand side of the Trent End box before releasing an absolute pearler from 25 yards which beat Higgs and landed in the back of the net to take the score to 3-1. A superb goal.

We didn't have things all our own way, and although our 3-1 lead was effectively enough to end the game as a contest, one or two mistakes at both ends of the pitch gave food for thought. We allowed Cheltenham in close enough for Vincent to head against the crossbar, and near the end after one or two stray passes Chambo gave the ball away rather cheaply which Cheltenham really ought to have put away. This was probably the best warning we could have wished for since it served to remind us how easily all the good work can be undone. If Cheltenham had scored from this it might have made for a rather tense finish. Something which definitely needs heeding in order to avoid calamities like last year's play-offs.

At the other end one or two things n,eed working on, most notably awareness of red shirts which were there in numbers. It's just a pity that Agogo and Commons didn't seem to realise that. On one occasion Junior broke through with McCleary to his left and Ormerod to his right, and with McCleary in the slightly better position, what did Junior do? Obvious. He just tried a straight shot which Higgs saved easily. No doubt in pursuit of that hat-trick. Elsewhere, Commons was playing in a more central role than we've been used to seeing him of late, and was on a number of occasions the beneficiary of Ormerod's hard work. It's just too bad seeing the ball being given away whenever Commons either passed (which wasn't often, so no surprise there) or tried a reckless shot when it would have been much better to lay the ball off for someone else nearby.

The fans were quick to acknowledge Ormerod's contribution and when he was eventually replaced by Emile Sinclair he received a deserved standing ovation. Whatever reservations there may have been over Ormerod when he first arrived, it cannot be denied he has fitted in exceptionally well here, and irrespective of where we are in August it must be hoped he will be staying on Trentside. A refreshing change to see a player actually prosper at Forest as opposed to seeing ex-Reds flourish after their time with us.

One player whom we couldn't keep last summer, but was welcomed back by everyone today was Alan Wright. His first corner kick drew warm applause from the Trent End and he too had large sections of the home fans on their feet when he was replaced just before Ormerod.

And just to demonstrate how it was a day for the younger squad members, Mark Byrne, after several appearances on the bench was eventually allowed to make his big entrance with twenty minutes left. We were nearly treated to a dream debut performance when he got on the end of a Chambo pass and screwed the ball only inches wide. A useful contribution nevertheless, and even stirred up memories of Andy Reid from seven years ago.

So, in the end a comfortable win which we managed at a canter eventually, and one which, combined with the excellent win at Brunton Park will hopefully set us up on a timely run of form which we can take right into the play-offs. The time is now. The pressure of making automatic promotion is eased since it is all but beyond us now, and acceptance of what lies ahead is prompting some attitude adjustment. The play-offs are now the second chance after our slump in form last month had cost us the better route. Yes, it's still mathematically possible to make the top two, and Swansea even managed to slip up against lowly Bournemouth, although realistically there's about as much chance of them (or Carlisle for that matter) losing out on the automatic spots as there is of Naomi Campbell becoming a guru in anger management.

It's looking a little more hopeful now, especially with the younger players giving the established ones a run for their money in the pecking order.

Just got to keep that going now.

Ref Watch: KK Wright - did a good job for 80 minutes of this game, letting the game flow and didn't book a single player. Rather lost the plot towards the end by waving away one or two blatant fouls.

Entertainment Value: Once again proved good value for the Kids-for-Quid brigade, and a game which saw action at both ends - even better the fact it involved Forest attacking throughout. 7/10

Atmosphere: At last! The crew responsible for the pre-match music seem to have finally got it right. Opinions on use of the theme tune to The Apprentice (happily back on our TV screens once more) may be divided, but it sets the Fortress City Ground stage in the way we've enjoyed in the past, and this carried well into the stands as the game got under way.

Highlights: Solid first start for Garath McCleary, and an impressive display by his replacement Mark Byrne who nearly scored with his first touch of the ball; plenty of good attacking football to enjoy and Forest dominating for long periods, with reward in the form of three well-taken goals.

Lowlights: Hints of complacency which must provide timely warning as we face the play-offs once more. Cheltenham's opener thankfully proving little more than a wake-up call, but defensive lapses later in the game could have made it a different story. We can only hope Bennett's hamstring problem isn't too serious just at the time we need him the most.

Stinker: No-one played particularly badly, although both Commons and Agogo were wasteful with chances.

Stormer: Brett Ormerod - his supporting role provided a constant threat and he was simply outstanding today.