The attacking players have taken the majority of the plaudits in Forest's resurgence under Steve Cooper, and justifiably so, but the likes of Scott McKenna and Brice Samba were reliable performers even in the difficult beginning to the season the club had.

Samba remembers the pain from when the Reds missed out on the top six on the final day of 2019/20, and the 27-year-old will be desperate to make amends this time around.

The Verdict

Forest's home record, and the consistency of it, could be the difference between them breaking into the top six or just missing out.

It is clear to see that they are on an overwhelming upward trajectory under Steve Cooper but it is so tight between the chasing pack.

Middlesbrough have looked like an establish automatic promotion chasing since Chris Wilder took to the helm and with Sheffield United, Luton Town and Stoke City still in with a shout, Forest are going to have to stay on top of their game.

Samba has kept three clean sheets in his last four appearances, with the only goal conceded being Tom Lawrence's penalty for Derby County, if the Reds can keep up those kind of defensive displays they will cruise to a top six finish.