As the new campaign approaches, Paul Taylor looks ahead at the 2013/14 Championship fixture list and highlights five games that could help shape the outcome of the Reds' season as Billy Davies looks to steer the club into the top flight.
Wigan Athletic, Saturday August 31, DW Stadium
BILLY Davies' sides, traditionally, may not have made a flying start to the campaign when he has been managing at Preston, Derby and Forest.
But, if he can buck that historic trend this time around, then the Reds will have sent out a clear message to the rest of the Championship – we mean business.
The fixture computer has not handed Forest the easiest start to the campaign, with testing trips to Blackburn and Watford, as well as home games against Huddersfield and Bolton before they even consider a trip to newly relegated Wigan.
Bolton and Watford in particular will fancy their chances of challenging for promotion this time around – as will the Latics.
But, by the time the Reds finish the month by heading to the DW Stadium, what has gone before it will have given an early indication of how the hectic summer of work, when it comes to rebuilding the squad, has gone.
And, if Forest can emerge with three points – or even with a draw – against a Wigan side who beat them comfortably in the Carling Cup last season, then it is not an exaggeration to say it will prove that they are capable of mixing it with the best in the division.
The fixture will also see James Perch face his former side for the first time as a Wigan player, following his £700k move from Newcastle.
Derby County, Saturday September 28, City Ground
AT any stage of any season, the visit of Derby County will always be a landmark moment for every Nottingham Forest fan.
But this fixture will have even more importance than normal heaped upon it.
Reds fans will not need reminding that they have lost three of the last four meetings between the two sides, with Forest's only point collected from a 1-1 draw at Pride Park back in January.
This is the third year running that Derby have visited the City Ground in September – and Billy Davies' men will be looking to ensure the Rams do not notch up a third consecutive win in Nottingham.
The fierce rivalry between the two sides always seems to conjure up controversy, whether it be Robbie Savage's scarf waving, Nathan Tyson's corner flag exploits or the infamous 'kneegate' clash between Nigel Clough and Davies.
Whatever happens there will be drama, but Forest fans will be desperate to see their side return to the kind of form that saw them notch-up their famous 5-2 win over the Rams back in December 2010.
Clough has consistently done a good job putting together a capable side on a limited budget at the other end of the A52 – and he currently holds the bragging rights when it comes to local derby clashes.
Forest – and specifically Davies – will want to ensure that is not the case come the end of the campaign.
Reading, Friday November 29, City Ground
READING go into the new season in a new division with a relatively new manager – but their goal is clear.
Nigel Adkins was realistically not appointed to keep Reading in the Premier League last season, with their fate all but sealed before he arrived at the club back at the end of March.
Instead, the manager was brought in because of his track record of steering both Southampton and Scunthorpe to promotion in the past.
The Royals will be among the favourites to win promotion and, in their case, an immediate return to the top flight.
Not only will the fixture pit Forest up against one of the sides they must match if they are to have a realistic chance of achieving their own Premier League dreams, but it will also herald the return of two old faces.
Chris Gunter and Garath McCleary were both popular figures during their time at the City Ground.
And, while they were both largely peripheral figures as Reading fought against relegation last season, they are likely to have a more integral role this time around.
In October, Forest face some epic away games, with trips to Charlton, Brighton and Yeovil. They also make the short, but tough, trip to Leicester in November.
But the game against the Royals will still be one of their toughest tests heading towards the end of 2013.
Saturday May 3, Brighton, City Ground.
BACK in May, Nottingham Forest had the chance to compete an impressive turnaround in form under Billy Davies by securing a place in the play-offs against the odds.
In the end, a frustrating finale to the campaign was capped off in agonising fashion as Leicester City triumphed on the final day of the campaign to deny the Reds a top six finish.
By the time next May comes around, Forest's goals are more ambitious. This time, the hope is that they will be challenging for a place in the top-two, rather then just a play-off berth.
But there is also a good chance that, if Forest are indeed among the challengers on the final day, then Brighton could well be too.
The Seagulls do have an unknown quantity in manager – or head coach – Oscar Garcia, following the sacking of Gus Poyet. But the Spaniard certainly has an impressive CV, following up a playing career with Barcelona with a role as coach of their highly rated youth team.
He subsequently guided Maccabi Tel Aviv to the title in Israel – and will be aiming for similar success on the south coast.
But Forest will be hoping it is they – and not their opposition – who have something to celebrate on the final day.
QPR, Saturday April 12, Loftus Road
WHERE the London club are concerned, literally anything could happen this season.
With Harry Redknapp in charge, you know there will be plenty of comings and goings this summer.
And, while he has a massive job on his hands to trim a squad of players who are all highly paid, but not automatically highly talented, Rangers will still probably be fighting it out at the right end of the Championship table under his guidance.
Rangers do possess a core of players who are more than capable of flourishing in the second tier, whether Redknapp can trim the deadwood or not.
And, by the time Forest make the journey south, it will be pretty clear which way Redknapp's fortunes are swinging – and, indeed, whether Forest themselves will be in a position to challenge.
Whatever the fortunes of the two clubs come April, further intrigue could be added by two of the men who are currently on the Loftus Road coaching staff.
Steve McClaren has just agreed a short-term deal to become a coach under Redknapp and could find himself in the dugout alongside another former Forest manager, Steve Cotterill.
Cotterill worked in a similar capacity last season and could yet have his own contract extended.
