After finally taking charge of Cardiff City, after a contractual matter delayed his appointment, Russell Slade started with a win at Cardiff City Stadium
"It was worth the wait. It has been frustrating, and there was also the frustration of not having eight players over the last two weeks due to the international break,'' said the Cardiff boss.
"But the players worked exceptionally hard. I hope people saw a bit of a difference today and a bit of a structure and a game plan which we can develop going forward.
"The first half was really pleasing. We looked a threat going forward, we created a few opportunities and we were nice and compact without the ball.
"We hung on in there well during the last few minutes, which were a bit scary, and it is a great result for the football club.''
Slade also revealed he had received a post-match message of congratulation from Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.
"Yes, he has been in touch with me. He rang me straight after the game, he watched it on television,'' said Slade.
"I think he was slightly pleased.''
Forest manager Stuart Pearce admitted he had been surprised by how poor the his side had been.
He said: "I am disappointed with the manner of the defeat. We were not at the races today, man for man and collectively we were outfought and gave away a couple of very poor goals.
"There were some half-hearted challenges to stop players and that has not been us this year, and that is probably the thing that disappoints me the most.
"But if you think I am disappointed, then the players are even more disappointed to have seen their unbeaten run ended.
"But that is the nature of this league, if you do not play well enough you come away with nothing, no matter where you are in the table.
"Credit to Cardiff. They did okay but I thought if we had got that first goal we would have won the game 2-0 or 3-0.''