Over the past few years Nottingham Forest fans have had little to cheer about.

The two time European Cup winners have fallen on hard times, slipping into League One and recently sacking Gary Megson after a poor run of form saw them languishing in mid-table.

As with most teams when they get a new manager, there was a sense of optimism when they took on Swindon at The City Ground on Saturday.

But few would have predicted what happened next as Forest smashed seven goals past their hapless opponents.

Midfielder Nicky Southall strolled in to grab an unlikely hat-trick as Forest fans finally had something to cheer about.

Caretaker managers Frank Barlow and Ian McParland have distanced themselves from taking over permanently, but similar performances might have Forest fans clamouring for their appointment.

Other runners and riders for this week’s award included Premiership Blackburn who continued their fine form to not only beat Arsenal, but to leapfrog them in the Premier League table.

Suddenly fans in Lancashire are dreaming of getting into the Champions League - something manager Mark Hughes would not have imagined at the start of the season.

But his shrewd signings, like Saturday’s match winner Morten Gamst Pedersen, are not to be taken lightly.

League One Chesterfield showed great character to overcome Rotherham 4-0 away from home. Rotherham held a special fans day to raise money to stop them going out of business, but Chesterfield showed little sentiment and kept up their chase for the play-offs with an easy win.

In the Championship, Crystal Palace also kept up their fine form as they brushed aside Norwich 4-1 as they look to make an instant return to the Premiership.

This time two seasons ago Palace made their burst for the play-offs before winning the final in Cardiff. And it seems Iain Dowie’s men are heading for more of the same.