This was supposed to be a night for Nottingham Forest to savour. ‘For a new generation, our time has come,’ read the gigantic banners unfurled from the Trent End as the City Ground hosted its first European fixture in nearly three decades.
The last time such occasions came here, Forest’s vanquishers FC Midtjylland had not even been formed. Those supporters who had only ever experienced Forest’s European Cup triumphs from memories passed down through the generations, this was supposed to be one to enjoy.
That, however, was made much less possible as they had to watch their side labour in the same, predictable ways under Ange Postecoglou, whose record since taking over the club now reads: six games, zero wins.