1: Team spirit
The first thing Billy Davies and his staff did when they returned to the club is circle the wagons and instigate a 'them against us' attitude among the squad.
One of Davies' strengths has always been to generate a sense of unity in the dressing room and that has been obvious once more, since day one of his second spell.
2: Fans united
Following the controversial sacking of Sean O'Driscoll and the ill-fated appointment of Alex McLeish, the mood was pretty dark among supporters.
But the return of Davies for a second spell in charge immediately generated a positive response from supporters, who were glad to see the Scotsman return.
3: Room to restructure
Davies is yet to make a single signing for the Reds but, with five loan signings set to return to their parent clubs and the likes of Darius Henderson and Lewis McGugan set to see their contracts expire, the manager will have the room to make changes; to stamp his influence on the squad.
It is likely that he will try to bring some of those loan signings back, with Sam Hutchinson already identified as a target, and Elliott Ward, Gonzalo Jara and Billy Sharp all having done well.
But the situation will also leave room in the budget for Davies to bring in his own new faces.
4: Key players contracted
In the past, Forest have seen big players allowed to leave when their deals have run down, with the likes of Kelvin Wilson, Luke Chambers and Garath McCleary springing to mind.
Forest may see Lewis McGugan depart this summer, with a queue of clubs likely to line up for his signature when his deal expires.
But, otherwise, the majority of their key players are tied to long term contracts, which will provide invaluable stability.
5: Henri Lansbury's impact
The midfielder arrived from Arsenal in the summer with an injury. But, as he has found his fitness, he has also increasingly found his form.
Energetic, creative, dynamic and dangerous, by the end of the campaign, Lansbury was one of the most influential figures in the squad. Will be a big player for Forest next season.
6: Adlene Guedioura's role
Simon Gillett produced some outstanding performances in front of the back four in the opening months of the campaign – but it has been the Algerian who has made the position his own.
Mobile, strong, confident on the ball and robust in the tackle, the importance of Guedioura in the final months of the campaign cannot be overlooked.
7: Chris Cohen - the left back
Was drafted into the back four in Davies' first game in charge and has barely put a foot wrong. He may prefer playing in midfield, but his performances on the left side of defence have been superb.
May well start next season as first choice in the position.
8: Dan Harding's reminder
Cohen's form had kept Harding out of the side under Davies but, in the final two games of the campaign, the former Southampton man has done well.
Solid and stoic at Millwall and adventurous going forward against Leicester, when pressed into duty at right back, Harding offered a reminder that he could still be a useful member of the squad next season.
9: Karl Darlow's emergence
The one lasting legacy of Alex McLeish's short spell in charge was the decision to allow the unsettled Lee Camp to leave in January and instead plunge Darlow into the first team fray.
The rookie keeper's confidence has grown significantly. His performance against Leicester on the final day was pure class.
10: Andy Reid's influence
Perhaps because it is 13 years since he made the breakthrough at the City Ground, fans often talk of the Irishman as if he is on his last legs. But he will only be 31 by the time the new season kicks off.
His creativity and influence will be as vital as ever next season.
11: Simon Cox scores
The striker had made 26 appearances for club and country, without finding the back of the net. He had produced quality performances, but just could not find the back of the net.
His confidence will have been boosted by his third minute strike against Leicester City.
12: Settled relationship
It is not inaccurate to suggest that, by the final months of Davies' last spell as manager, his relationship with Nigel Doughty had deteriorated somewhat.
But, from the outside looking in, it seems as though the two leading figures at Forest, in Davies and Fawaz Al Hasawi, enjoy a healthy working relationship. That will be vital going into a huge summer.
13: Financial backing of Fawaz Al Hasawi
The close to £100m invested in the club by Doughty, over the course of a decade, should never be forgotten.
But, in the new Kuwaiti owners, Forest seem to have found another backer who is willing to finance a push for the Premier League.
14: Youth team progress
They were ultimately denied a place in the FA Youth Cup final when they lost on penalties to Premier League Norwich City.
But there are some exciting talents in the youth ranks under Gary Brazil, including dynamic midfielder Jack Blake and defender Kieron Fenton.
15: Pre-season to prepare
Davies does have a habit of repeating certain mantras and one of those most frequently uttered in recent weeks has been that Forest's Championship rivals had all had a pre-season to prepare as a squad.
He will no longer be in a 'holding position' as he terms it, but will have all summer to prepare his squad for a promotion push.
