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By Sports Correspondent at Ashton Gate

It is now over 40 years since Nottingham Forest became Europe’s top team, arguably the world’s best.

A young ambitious manager called Brian Clough had taken over a coasting second tier club and turned them into a top flight outfit.

Within 18 months, Clough turned them into Division One winners, followed by two European Cup titles within three years.

I Believe in Miracles

The apt titled film ‘I Believe in Miracles’ documents it well.

This week at a torrential rain battered Bristol City, we witnessed what Forest fans will be hoping is history repeating itself.

For Brian Clough read new Forest manager Steve Cooper who has had a breathtaking beginning.

Worst start in 108 years

Aged only 41 he has already worked miracles in just a few weeks after the team’s worst start for 108 years.

Steve Cooper’s side had looked to be heading towards their first loss under the new boss on Tuesday, before Lyle Taylor scored twice in added time to rescue the three points.

Forest made the trip on the back of three successive wins, having seen off Blackpool at the City Ground on Saturday to make it five games unbeaten.

Could history repeat itself?

There is huge hope and optimism around the City Ground. Confidence is sky high.

Could history repeat itself?

Could a team like Forest do a Cloughie 40 years on?

Miracles do happen

Forest fans will be hoping so. The challenge is in getting the cash to buy the best. But as Leicester City fans will testify - miracles do happen even in the modern game.

Newcastle overnight could now go from bottom to world force. Are there other billionaires out there? How long till Jeff Bezos buys a soccer club? Elon Musk? Zuckerburg?

It’s clear Cooper is a breath of fresh air. Ambitious. Hungry. A motivator.

Don’t rule anything out.

As the genius Jimmy Greaves would say, “It’s a funny old game”.