Nottingham Forest should be well accustomed to life at the School of Hard Knocks by now.
For 20 years they have found themselves shunned by the popular kids of the Premier League.
Plenty of effort has gone in to trying to break back into that group, but winning favour with the elite has proved tricky.
Another humbling lesson in how big the gap to be bridged is was handed out on Tuesday.
For one night only the Reds were allowed to rub shoulders again with the cool kids.
A prestigious venue threw open its doors to a travelling army from Nottingham.
For some, the occasion was too big.
After initially playing things safe, sticking to the corners of the room and trying not to make a fuss, things went downhill quickly.
Lines were fluffed, laces tripped over and the bullies of Ashburton Grove stole our dinner money.
A path home was beaten with collective tails wedged firmly between the legs.
Permission
We weren’t ready yet.
Forest’s class of 2019 also wasn’t at full strength.
Some of the more able pupils were left behind or on the outside looking in, with the relevant permission slips not signed by head teacher Sabri Lamouchi.
A bigger picture was being managed.
Those from the City Ground comprehensive know that they are not Ivy League material at the moment.
Arsenal’s collection of world champions and exciting upstarts proved as much.
There may have been a willingness to learn and a shared affinity with red and white, but these were two classes that are poles apart.
Which is fine.
Ambition remains and another opportunity to head in the right direction is just around the corner.
A few more days of revision and Forest will be back out on the road.
With the red and white theme continuing – just at the bet365 Stadium this time rather than the Emirates variety.
Future
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Stoke and Staffordshire is more Forest’s stage at present than the bright lights of north London.
The intention is to be back there in the not too distant future.
Back in the capital on a level footing with the gangs of Gunners, Spurs and Hammers.
For now, though, there are more exams to sit, tests to pass and ability to be proven.
That starts on Friday night.
A week which delivered a harsh reminder of where Forest sit in the pecking order can still end on the highest of highs.
Overcome the Potters and the Reds will hit top spot.
They will, after two decades, be back to within touching distance of where they want to be.
Such a standing may be enjoyed for less than 24 hours, but a sense of perspective will be offered on the events of Tuesday evening as dreams of what could be are rekindled.
Forest have the chance to be head boys, they just need to go out and grab it.
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