Crisis-hit Bolton, bottom of the Championship and in deep financial trouble, were out of the game early on as they saw goalkeeper Ben Amos sent off, Nelson Oliveira netting the resulting penalty before Oliver Burke made it 2-0.
Those goals were created by Jamie Ward and he capped a man-of-the-match display in the final minutes by putting a fair gloss on the scoreline.
Freedman told the official NFFC website of his summer capture: "Jamie Ward for me is the best free transfer out there.
"I think he’s a typical Nottingham Forest player - dropping into holes, getting it, giving it. I think the crowd appreciated his energy levels and the way he played the game today.”
The manager himself can feel vindicated that his approach to three home games in eight days saw the Reds progress in the FA Cup by beating Queens Park Rangers, win the fixture they were expected to against rock-bottom Bolton and take a point from Birmingham City, a result that looks better now after Blues 3-0 triumph away to Derby County at the weekend.
In total it means 10 games undefeated for Forest and their resilience will be tested to the full next Saturday with a trip to face league leaders Middlesbrough, themselves surprisingly beaten by Bristol City at the weekend.