Manager Joe Kinnear was hoping to push for promotion from the newly named Coca-Cola Championship in 2004–05, but the start to the season was poor.

With fans becoming restless, and the threat of demonstrations against the team management, Kinnear resigned in December after a 3–0 defeat to arch-rivals Derby County at Pride Park left Forest struggling at the foot of the Championship.

He had previously won promotion to the Premiership twice with West Bromwich Albion, having taken over at a time when they were on the verge of relegation to League One,[2] and it was hoped that he could achieve the same success with Forest.

After a loss to Millwall in Megson's first match in charge, a six-game unbeaten run gave the fans hope that survival might be on the cards.

Nottingham Forest's score comes first[3] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.