It was always going to be a 0-0.
The TV cameras, the consternation of grappling a play-off rival, the fact that today's 'VIP legend' was Steve Chettle (whose honours include several man of the match awards...)
But it was a good 0-0; feisty and spirited - and viewed in a refreshingly proportionate context.
There has been a notable shift in the demands and expectations of the Forest crowd this weekend and the changes have been reflected on-pitch.
Gone are the cantankerous grumbles and accusing fingers. Today Forest had the determined air of troops marching into a battle, for better or worse.
Cardiff started the game confidently, all pomp and fury.
By the final 20 minutes they had both eyes on the clock and two hands cupped firmly around their balls. We had them wobbling, and the pressure which sparked handbags within their own ranks is not something they have faced often in 2010.
For the first time tonight I saw some evidence that Forest have adapted to the various blows. If Rob Earnshaw hadn't been wearing his Cardiff boxer shorts we'd have snatched all three points with ease.
We are not likely to match the vigour and glory of a side boasting Nicky Shorey, Paul McKenna and a host of players in career-defining form.
But finally we are waking up to the realities and adjusting to them. The compromise of our full-backs and the absence of a midfield water-carrier are still obvious, but they are no longer reducing us to shambles.
It has to carry on. We need to chalk up an away win and carry our home run into the play-offs.
A week ago I gave us no hope but something about our steel this afternoon has resuscitated my ailing faith. Billy just might do this.
Ratings:
Camp - 6.5 - virtually nothing to do
Chambers - 7 - a solid performance and one or two good crosses. He is only let down when we try to break with pace and he struggles to find the right pass
Wilson - 7.5 - strong and convincing throughout
Morgan - 7.5 - continues to look every inch a top-end Championship defender. There have been times Wes hasn't even looked like a footballer and, along with his manager, he deserves great praise.
Gunter - 8 - a storming performance, despite the ongoing setback of his limp left foot
Cohen - 7 - a consistent and prolific workhorse who will be worth his weight in platinum come the play-offs
Moussi - 7 - another strong performance but he again forgot how to kick half way through the second half. He's prone to that
Majewski - 7 - he's had busier games, but it was no disaster
Tyson - 6 - doesn't have the mettle to take players on. He belongs on the shoulder of the deepest defender, waiting to pounce. As a winger he's really not much good at all
Blackstock - 8 - a handful all afternoon, despite being punished seemingly for winning headers on several occasions
Earnshaw - 7 - decent all-round display but he really doesn't like to score against Cardiff. Next time he slaps his head like a true Cardiff reprobate he should be slapped with a fine
Subs:
McGoldrick - 7
McCleary - 7
