Players know if they'll be staying - Robbo

Nicky Maynard, Alex Revell, Anthony Kay, Cody Cropper, Jordan Spence, Carl Baker, Charlie Burns and Matt Upson do not have deals extending into next season, though most will know by now whether they will be playing at stadium:mk again next season.

An announcement is expected on Monday as to the future of those eight players.

“It’s about us rebuilding now,” said Robinson. “The line is drawn. For as quick as I forgot about the emotions of promotion, I’ve got to forget relegation.

“We’ve seen the end of some of the players, we’ll know at the beginning of next week.

“There’s no right way of doing it, but we’ve shown them a lot of respect. I have thanked them all for their hard work and dedication this season.”

The final game of the Championship season was a dead rubber for both sides, though with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes, it could have turned into a tasty affair to give the season a good send off.

But despite Nicky Maynard cancelling out Chris Cohen’s opener, Danny Fox’s red card for a high tackle on Spence shortly before half time ended it as a spectacle.

Britt Assombalonga scored his first goal after more than a year out with a knee injury to win it for Forest on 74 minutes, but it was a labour of love for Robinson.

He said: “We performed OK, and we scored probably our goal of the season. The second half looked like two teams with nothing to play for.

“The tackle riled a few people at half time, but it is what it is. It won’t spoil my summer.

I” went to see Danny Fox at half time. I wanted to know why. He’s an amazing guy and he’s as honest as it gets.

“He told me he went into the tackle and got the ball but couldn’t take out the aggression. He didn’t mean to hurt Jordan, he’s not that sort of guy.”

And after completing a ‘lap of thanks’ at the end of the game, Robinson thanked the fans for sticking by his side throughout what has proven to be a disappointing campaign in the second tier.

He added: “Of the 11,000 or so fans here today, who already knew we were relegated, 80 per cent stayed until the end. And that’s who we’re playing for. Through thick and thin, they’ll stick with us.

“Next year, part of our team talk will be to remember the fans who stayed and showed what true supporters are about.”