Forest manager Billy Davies said:

"I have to say I thought the first 45 minutes was a little bit special. The way we moved the ball around and our possession, the pace we played and the chances we created – we should have been three or four goals up in the first half.

"Then we came out in the second half and, while you have to give Newcastle credit, we became sloppy in possession, we didn't pass the ball quickly enough, we didn't move off the ball quick enough and we sat too deep.

"We are not ready (for promotion) this year, we will keep doing what we are doing, but we are not ready. We need to consolidate this season, because there is still work to do. But we will keep grafting away at it. 

We are pleased with the result, but I am not kidding anyone. It is about going into the top league when things are in place and you are ready for it. We have a lot of work to do to put that infrastructure in place.

"But we have great young players, we have great experienced players, we have a great togetherness on and off the pitch and we have a wonderful set of fans who are starting to understand what we need.

"It is players, we are still missing players, we need one or two. And time is also important, we still need time to work on one or two things we are working on. I said before that it can take months and months to build a side. I am pleased because of the response we have had from the players.

"But we can't get carried away, there is too much of a season still to go. We have to keep our feet on the ground, keep our spirit and togetherness – then we will see where we are come the end of the season.

But I will remind everyone – when you win a league or get into a play-off position, it is the three points that you pick up against the likes of Peterborough, Plymouth and all the so called smaller teams that matter most.

"There are not any easy games in the Championship and the quicker people realise that, the better. It doesn't matter who the opposition is, three points take you higher up the league no matter who you are playing."

The second competitive appearance of Newcastle's third kit coincided with their second league loss of the season, as Forest and their fans followed the example of Blackpool in seizing the midfield area and exposing our shortcomings, leaving us brainlessly poking the ball forward.   

The man in the ill-fitting suit pacing around in front of the home dugout had seen it all before of course. 

Two years ago, Billy Davies was in charge of Derby County as Newcastle lost 1-0 to a first half goal at the other end of Brian Clough Way (aka the A52). He'll doubtless remember that night, it being the only top flight game he won while Rams boss. 1-0 in his Cup Final. Again. 

Some post-match comments from Enrique caused a stir in the United camp, but while both he and fellow interviewee Kevin Nolan opted to make a general point about collective doziness, to those watching from behind the goal there were some specific culprits.

Much was expected of United's on-loan striker Marlon Harewood - able to put his feet up during the international break after his first competitive action in five months, ahead of this return to his first professional club.

Never mind the chance of impressing possible future employers, one could reasonably assume that the Villa forward would bust a gut on his return to the City Ground - having spurned a loan move here earlier in the year and marked previous visits with goals.

In the event though, Harewood's contribution amounted to one flashy backheel out by the touchline and sticking his leg out to make partial contact with Ryan Taylor's goalbound effort. A noticeable lack of movement off the ball and attempts to gain possession were belatedly acted upon by his late withdrawal in favour of Nile Ranger, but the damage - or lack of it - was done.

And as he left the field and preferred to applaud home fans in the Main Stand rather than return Chris Hughton's handshake, he walked past a man who could have told him a few things about putting a shift in and sweating in a Newcastle shirt - Forest assistant manager David Kelly.

Similarly Lovenkrands seems to have more trouble coping with Championship defenders than their top flight brethren since returning to United and moving into the comfort zone of a three year deal. 

He again was anonymous and with Danny Guthrie seldom seen out right in his nominal midfield role, we looked unbalanced throughout against the pace of an eager but unpolished home side. 

Continual failures to deliver crosses from open play or take advantage of a number of corners were frustrating, with the absence of our two central defensive scorers this season - Coloccini and Steven Taylor - apparent at both ends of the field.  

Meanwhile, substitute Jonas Gutierrez was for once in the mood to shoot, but blazed over hopelessly from way out on a couple of occasions - to the anger of his colleagues.  And thoughts that Kevin Nolan had secured a point in the second half when he scooped the ball in were rapidly dispelled by an offside flag.

A late chance for Nile Ranger saw the substitute head over from close range, but having opted to sit on their lead for the whole of the second period, Forest ultimately secured a fourth successive win with something to spare.

United were once again handed possession and the initiative by their opponents, but as was the case in their previous two outings at home, proved incapable of finding a way through - either by artistry or brute force.

For a side who have now gone three games without a win, Tuesday's trip to a cramped Glanford Park on Tuesday isn't the best of places to try and halt this temporary slide.

Biffa