Nothingham Forest has really run out of gas to step on the gas, facing the end of the season they began to show their unpreparedness to be in a competition environment as big as the Champions League. Everyone was impressed with Nothingham Forest's tenacity at the beginning to the middle of the season which performed brilliantly but mentally it was clearly not ready for a challenge as big as the UCL. Imo being able to finish in the top 6 feels quite appropriate with what Nothingham Forest has struggled for this season. They can still enjoy the Europa League if they are serious want competing there then they must defend the remaining matches.
If only first time impression was a person, I will award it to Nottingham Forest. Those guys were at the center of the Premier League in the beginning that everyone ridiculed Manchester City of been a bad place. Now, City has wander around all positions and are trying to finish among the top 4 while Nottingham is trying to make a place among the elite and it's seems not working because the gas isn't accelerating the team despite the effort, they can't do more than this anymore.
However, they will get th chance to represent at the Europa at their worst, if they can do well in the Europa next season, they can still use two bed to kill one stone. I.e finish well in the top by next season to be at the Champions League and finish Europa to have auto qualifications to the Champions League but for now, they have to finish where they are right now or fight more if they can to be at the top to get Champions League by next season.