A goal to go down in legend from Jack Colback as Nottingham Forest bounce back in style

Did he mean it? It was the only question being asked amid Nottingham Forest’s thumping victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Was it supposed to be a cross? Was he really going for goal from there? Like that?

Jack Colback left the entire City Ground, and his Reds teammates, gaping open-mouthed at a simply outrageous strike as the Baggies were seen off 4-0. Goal of the season sewn up right there - and even that doesn’t do it justice.

Boss Steve Cooper and striker Sam Surridge said afterwards the midfielder insisted it was a shot. Whether he really did mean it or not, it was a proper worldie from the former Newcastle United man. One that will go down in legend, particularly if Forest can provide a similar flourish to the campaign.

Colback’s strike was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. The pick of any bunch, come to that.

But what was really important for Cooper’s side was to get back to winning ways, and to the kind of performances they had been doing prior to defeat at Luton Town.

Regardless of whether Friday’s 1-0 reverse was deserved or not, the Reds needed to show a response. They needed to bounce back; to avoid one disappointing result becoming any more than that.

They certainly did just that. Forest were more like their usual selves, compared to what had been a flat display at Kenilworth Road.

They didn’t let any nerves or edginess seep into their game, or allow frustrations over questionable refereeing decisions to linger. They simply put that one behind them and showed the kind of mental strength which can be key at this stage of the campaign.

It wasn’t just the result against the Hatters that provided a set-back. From that game, the Reds have lost striker Keinan Davis for the remainder of the regular season due to a