They say falling in love with a loan player is a dangerous game, an unwritten rule of football fandom that almost always ends in disappointment. Supporters are warned not to get too attached, not to invest emotionally in someone whose future is ultimately out of their club’s control. Nottingham Forest fans learned that lesson the hard way with Djed Spence — and yet, even years later, the connection refuses to fade.

When Forest brought Spence to the City Ground for the 2021/22 season, few could have predicted the impact he would make. His career had stalled, confidence drained after a frustrating spell at Middlesbrough, and he arrived with something to prove. What followed was not merely a revival, but a transformation. Under Steve Cooper, Spence was unleashed, given freedom, responsibility, and belief — and he thrived.

From the opening weeks of the campaign, it was clear Forest had struck gold. Spence’s explosive pace, fearless dribbling, and relentless engine made him a constant outlet down the right flank. He wasn’t just a full-back; he was an attacking weapon, often looking more like a winger than a defender. Opponents struggled to live with him, and fans quickly realised they were witnessing something special.

As Forest surged up the table and into the play-off positions, Spence became indispensable. Week after week, he delivered moments of quality, driving his side forward in the biggest games. By the time Forest navigated their way through the play-offs and sealed promotion to the Premier League, Spence’s place in club folklore was secure. He wasn’t just part of the story — he was one of its defining characters.

Supporters fell head over heels. His name echoed around the City Ground, banners were raised, and for many, Spence symbolised the fearless, swashbuckling football that powered Forest back to the top flight after decades away. There was hope, perhaps naïve but sincere, that somehow the club might find a way to keep him.

But reality soon intervened.

In the summer of 2022, Tottenham Hotspur made their move. The allure of North London, European football, and a step into the Premier League elite proved too strong. Spence accepted Spurs’ advances, leaving Forest fans heartbroken but grateful for what he had given them. Few begrudged him the move — after all, he had earned it.

What followed, however, was far from the smooth ascent many expected.

Opportunities at Tottenham were limited. Managers changed, tactical systems shifted, and Spence found himself on the fringes, struggling to establish momentum. Loan spells to Genoa and later Leeds United offered glimpses of his ability but little stability. Each move felt like another attempt to reset, another reminder that his Tottenham dream was slipping further from reach.

Last season, under Ange Postecoglou, hope flickered once more. Spence was finally handed a run of games, entrusted with responsibility, and allowed to express himself. Performances improved, confidence returned, and whispers of an England call-up grew louder — whispers that soon became reality. For a moment, it seemed as though the long road had been worth it.

Yet football has a cruel habit of repeating its patterns.

This season, uncertainty has crept back in. Some Tottenham supporters remain unconvinced, questioning Spence’s consistency and defensive discipline. Reports of tension with new head coach Thomas Frank have only heightened scrutiny, painting a picture of a player once again struggling to fully align with his manager’s demands.

All of that context made yesterday’s clash with Nottingham Forest particularly charged.

Returning to the City Ground is never just another fixture for former heroes, and for Spence, the emotions were clearly close to the surface. When he was substituted, frustration spilled over. His reaction was immediate and visible — shoulders slumped, gestures of disbelief, a player unhappy with his removal from the contest. For Spurs fans watching on, it was hardly the kind of response they wanted to see.

But the moment that truly raised eyebrows came after.

As Forest fans rose to their feet, applauding a player they still adore, Spence acknowledged them warmly. He clapped the stands, slowly turning to take it all in. Every section received his appreciation — except one. The away end, filled with Tottenham supporters, was conspicuously left out.

Whether intentional or instinctive, the optics were impossible to ignore.

To Forest fans, it felt like a mutual moment of respect, a shared acknowledgement of a glorious past. To Tottenham supporters, however, it may have felt like a pointed snub — a reminder that Spence’s strongest emotional ties might still lie elsewhere. In an era where fan perception matters enormously, such gestures can quickly take on a life of their own.

It is moments like these that deepen the sense that Spence may be edging toward a crossroads. When body language, substitution reactions, and off-pitch reports begin to align, questions inevitably follow. Is he fully committed? Does he see a long-term future under Thomas Frank? Or is frustration beginning to outweigh patience?

Forest, meanwhile, will be watching with keen interest.

Forest would relish Spence return

A reunion may seem fanciful, but football has taught us never to rule out the improbable. If Forest are to strengthen in January, adding another full-back is widely seen as a priority. Spence, with his versatility, Premier League experience, and emotional connection to the club, would tick every box.

He can operate on either flank, offers attacking thrust, and understands the culture of the club. More importantly, he would arrive not as a prospect, but as a player who has tasted both the highs and lows of the Premier League. That experience could prove invaluable to a Forest side continuing to establish itself among England’s elite.

At present, Spence appears to have a bee in his bonnet with Frank, and history suggests that once that relationship becomes strained, exits often follow swiftly. If Tottenham decide he is surplus to requirements, Forest could emerge as a willing suitor — provided the financials align.

For the Forest faithful, Spence remains a hero. His Championship exploits are etched into memory, his contribution to promotion forever cherished. And now, having earned his stripes — albeit unevenly — at Tottenham, a return would feel less like nostalgia and more like unfinished business.

If the stars align, the City Ground could yet witness a reunion that once seemed impossible. And if that day comes, Forest fans would almost certainly ignore the old warning about loan players — and fall in love with Djed Spence all over again.