Djed Spence is already a world-class shithouse – we need him in the Prem

It was the kind of night that Nottingham Forest fans hadn’t experienced for a generation.

Going into their Championship play-off semi-final against Sheffield United with a 2-1 lead, Forest proceeded to aggressively flirt with disaster in front of their home supporters.

Leading 1-0 at half-time, Steve Cooper’s side surrendered the initiative and allowed their visitors to score two unanswered second-half goals. Extra-time beckoned. No fingernails in the red half of Nottingham were left unchewed.

Forest have made a habit of mindless self-destruction in their 23-year absence from the Premier League – the words ‘Yeovil Town’ are guaranteed to send shivers down the spines of Trent End regulars –  but this story was to have a happy ending.

Goalkeeper Brice Samba made three priceless saves during the penalty shoot-out as Forest booked their place in the play-off final against Huddersfield Town at the end of May.

It’ll be their first visit to Wembley since 1992; a stat that makes no sense and total sense at the same time.

Without wanting the Huddersfield team to pin this article on their dressing room wall, there’s been plenty of goodwill towards Forest from fans of other top-flight clubs. They’d undoubtedly be a popular presence in the Premier League next season.

But, even without all their tradition and history, Forest appear capable of attacking the Prem with gusto. It’s hard to believe they were bottom when Cooper took charge in September.

Brennan Johnson is a livewire forward, with more tricks up his sleeve than Paul Daniels, while Philip Zinckernagel, James Garner and Keinan Davis have been classy contributors to Forest’s rise as well.

But Djed Spence may be the brightest jewel of them all, a Premier League ready player in