“Bitterly disappointed” – Carlton Palmer offers his insight into play-off second leg between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest supporters would have felt mixed emotions walking away from Bramall Lane on Saturday after the Reds took a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Championship play-off semi final against Sheffield United.

Forest kept themselves in the automatic promotion conversation for a lot longer than expected this season and have been on an incredible run since Steve Cooper took charge.

Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson gave the Reds a well deserved two goal lead in the first leg, having passed up numerous opportunities to further their advantage, but Sander Berge flipped the narrative with a second half additional time finish to halve the deficit.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men were ripped apart at times, particularly in the first half on Saturday, but they live to tell the tale in the tie and will be optimistic about their chances of taking it deep at the City Ground this evening.

The Blades will be rejuvenated for knowing that they only need to score once to get back on level terms, and dead ball situations may be a dangerous angle of attack after the success they had in the first leg.

John Egan’s thumping header was cleared off the line by Sam Surridge in the first half and Heckingbottom’s men definitely appeared to have an advantage with crosses into the box.

Former England international Carlton Palmer delivered his verdict on the second leg.

When asked for his reaction on the halfway point in the tie, Palmer said: “Steve Cooper will be bitterly disappointed.

“They didn’t put the game to bed.

“I mean, they conceded late on from a set piece.

Quiz: 24 facts every Nottingham Forest supporter should know about their club – Can you score full marks?

1 of 24

What year were Forest founded?

1855 1865 1875 1885

“Sheffield United I think we’ll be happy that the game wasn’t out of their reach.”