IT may have been a chilly night down by the banks of the Trent but there was a warm glow of optimism in the air.
As thousands of Nottingham Forest supporters stood huddled among the maze of hot dog and burger vans they discussed who should scoop the top job at the club following Billy Davies' sacking.
Popular suggestions – which were mentioned in the heated debates outside the City Ground ahead of the team's crucial match against Charlton – included Forest legends Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough, with hopes that the pair may even form a dream management team.
Fifty-one-year-old Sean Kelleher, of Doncaster, who has been a Forest supporter since 1977, believed the collaboration would be the stuff that dreams were made of and bring some much needed pride back to the club.
He said: "Stuart Pearce is one of the best players the country has ever seen and Clough, well he was the second-highest scorer for the club and his father was a legend – they are both Forest legends and I think it would inject some much-needed pride back into the club to see them working together.
"We have our statue of Brian Clough outside the ground and it's time we started to create new legends. Bringing in Pearce and Clough would bring some heart back to the team, and they actually know about football."
Joe Timmins, who is a supporter of 40 years, agreed that a partnership between the two would prove a positive move for the club.
He said: "The two have both shown they have metal and they would be an asset to the whole club.
"The club needs to reassess and start looking to the future, and these both have a lot of experience."
Despite being the bookies favourite, and apparently a target for Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, the Post found little support for former England manager Glenn Hoddle among those we spoke to.
One fan, Carol Dyson, 56, of Derby said: "The world is our oyster now and I don't think Hoddle would be the best choice, we need to take advantage of this chance to change."
Meanwhile, Alex York, 26, of Newark thought Malky Mackay, former Cardiff City manager, would bring a more refreshing way of playing.
He said: He plays great football, which to me means keeping possession and trying to get results. He would bring a different way of play here – a more positive one."
Who do you think should get the job? Get in touch: Newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
