WHEN Billy Sharp looks back on the season so far at Nottingham Forest, he sees a host of missed opportunities.
But, come the end of the campaign, he believes the club are still capable of grasping the biggest one of all.
Having won six games on the bounce under Billy Davies, Forest have given themselves the chance to secure success out of what had threatened to become a chaotic season of drama.
Despite the upheaval of three changes of manager since his arrival, the striker believes the club have now put themselves on course for the play-offs under Davies.
And he believes that, in the Scotsman, Forest have a man who is capable of steering them over the finishing line.
"We have been talking about the season and the number of games you can look back at and think 'we should have won that'," said Sharp. "There are plenty of games like that.
"But then you can also say that Blackpool away was a great point. Palace away was a great point.
"We do deserve to be where we are at the minute. It has helped massively, winning six games on the trot.
"This was the right time for us to do it, at the right end of the season.
"Confidence is high, everyone – including myself – wants to be in the team, so the tempo in training is really high.
"Hopefully we can keep the run going, then anything could happen."
Was there are point where Sharp and the rest of his Forest team-mates actually wrote off their prospects for promotion?
"We didn't think that, no. Under Sean O'Driscoll we were always there or there abouts," added loan man.
"He got the sack and Alex McLeish came in. At that point our form did dip a little bit. That was due to the changes at the club. But then the gaffer (Davies) came in and he knew the club inside out anyway.
"He had that advantage over Alex McLeish, because he knew everything about the club from the start.
"The way we started under him was important. But we have gone on an unbelievable run and put ourselves in a great position.
"Alex McLeish had eight games and it would be easy to say we might have been in the top two now (had Davies been appointed then).
"But we have eight games to go and we are in a good position."
Sharp's working relationship with O'Driscoll was a key factor in his move to the City Ground.
But the striker is equally effusive about the influence Davies has had – and believes he is one of few men who could have instigated the remarkable turnaround in form.
"The gaffer has been here before, he knows a few of the players and he knew what he wanted to do from the start," he said. "The lads have all responded to that and we are full of confidence at the minute.
"When you are losing it is hard to win, but when you are winning it can be hard to lose. We hope that continues.
"If you asked him, he would probably be disappointed that we did not win the first game as well.
"But if you had told us that we were going to win six games on the trot, we would have snapped your hands off.
"Now, with eight games to go, we are in a good position and hopefully we can keep getting stronger."
If Forest win today they will equal a club record of seven consecutive wins set back in 1921.
Sharp says it is something the players have discussed in the dressing room, but feels the importance of collecting three points against one of their promotion rivals is more significant.
"This one really is a big game. There is only a point between us and we have the place in the table they want," he said.
"If we get the three points, it will give us a bit of a cushion.
"I knew it was possible (for Forest to equal the record) and I know a few of the others lads are aware of it as well. It just adds a little something more to the game.
"But it is a big game as it is, because Brighton are a point behind us. But the fact that it could equal a club record as well obviously adds something else to it.
"It should be a cracking atmosphere. There are two teams fighting to get into the play-offs, it is an important game.
"Hopefully the sun will be out and it will be a good game for the fans.
"We know how they play – but they will be frightened of us. They will be looking at us and thinking that we have won six games on the trot.
"We know it is not going to be easy. We know that they will be a tough side to play. They play good football and have won a lot of games themselves recently.
"We just take one game at a time and we will keep doing that.
"People did not expect us to win six on the bounce. Who knows? We might go and win another six on the bounce.
"If we can do that, we would be in a really strong position."
Sharp is likely to start the game on the bench, a position he has had to become accustomed to over the last six games.
But, while he is not happy about it, his attitude remains positive.
"It has been frustrating, but since I was dropped we have won every game, so I cannot really complain," he said. "I have to keep myself fit, I have to be ready to do the business if and when the gaffer needs me.
"With two games coming up in quick succession, we will need the squad over these games. I have to make sure I am ready if I am called upon."
And maybe Sharp still has a role to play in a remarkable season of drama.
