Rams boss Clough still has soft spot for Forest
NIGEL Clough today said he hopes to return to the City Ground with Derby County again next season – because that will mean neither side has been relegated from the Championship.
The Rams boss admitted he has great sympathy with the plight of his former club and is desperate to see them survive, so that the East Midlands rivalry can be maintained next season.
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Clough and Davies
"My heart does go out to Forest, we really hope we are playing them in the Championship again next season," said Clough, who masterminded his second success of the season at the City Ground.
"I'd like Leicester to come up as well so we can renew that East Midlands rivalry in the Championship.
"I honestly hope they survive, even if a few Derby fans might not say the same.
"I sincerely hope that we are back here next season battling away with them again."
Clough does not believe Derby are yet safe themselves in the Championship, despite a fine recent run.
"Although we have had four wins on the bounce, we are far from safe and we have a lot of work to do yet before we can relax and guarantee our place in the Championship," said Clough, who spent the match sat on the wall next to the dugout.
"I sat there because there is a little sign just next to it that says 'away dugout' that was helpful just to remind me," he said.
"It reminded me that I was the away team and, having been here for a number of years, that was helpful."
Despite a vibrant start to his Derby career, Clough played down his impact so far, since joining from Burton Albion.
"I am a long way from proving anything, it has only been six weeks. Maybe in six months or six years I might be able to say that," he said.
"But I am not going to say that after six weeks. We are a long way from proving anything yet.
"Derby should not be in the position we are in and, if we can guide them to safety this season, it will be the first sign that we are achieving something.
"We have had a tough few weeks, we were given the run around by Manchester United but we bounced back with two wins and seven goals. I am very pleased.
"It was strange coming back here, although I have been here fairly regularly. It was still a strange feeling to walk down the tunnel however."
Clough was full of praise for Kris Commons – who defied the jeers on his return to his former club to produce an outstanding performance – insisting he was a more dangerous player than he had been in his pomp.
"Kris was very good indeed, particularly considering that he had taken a couple of kicks," he said.
"He and Rob Hulse were a problem whenever they had the ball. It was a very mature performance against his former club.
"We thought it might help him, having been here once already a few weeks ago, and he was better again. Next season he will be more than useful.
"Commons is a better player than me, he has the ability to score goals. He can score stunning goals, he can play for the team and has that bit of individual brilliance as well, that can change the course of a game."
Clough continues to play himself – but limits it to the occasional performance in Burton's reserves.
"I don't think Roy (McFarland) will pick me for the Burton first team, with the results they are getting at the moment – although I am trying to keep ticking over in the reserves," he joked.
"My registration has remained with Burton. If Derby wanted me there would be a transfer fee involved – and we don't have the money for that."
14 Comments
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by ray, carlton
Thursday, February 26 2009, 7:49PM
“derby allso have season tickets on 0% finance over 10 months as well.”
by James, Hucknall
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 9:48AM
“I applaud any club that cuts prices to encourage fans to attend matches. As for Brian Clough's heart being with Derby, the great man had plenty of chances to return, Peter Taylor begged him to, but he stayed with Forest - Derby were the girl that spurned him, Forest were his great work and the love of his life, if I'm not right why didn't he leave when truly big clubs and even countries came calling?”
by Johnno, Mapperley
Monday, February 23 2009, 10:34PM
“Max, Forest often cheapen tickets for away fans. If you pay on the day at a Forest game it is £27 minimum without concessions. Kids for a quid was introduced as a community initiative to allow people from low waged families to attend and is a great idea. Ther are only around 3 kid for a quid games a year which is open to away fans also. What I was referring to was the Derby season tickets priced at £270 and get a childs season ticket free. Even the cheapest season tickets at Forest would cost around £450 to £500 for an adult and child. I'm not knocking the Rams initiatives just pointing out the reason more people attend Derby. IT's not rocket science.”
by David, Scotland
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:57PM
“Just 3 years before BC joined Forest. Forest had enjoyed 16 consecutive sreasons in top flight football . During that period they won the FA Cup and finished 9, 5 and in 66/67 finished 2nd to a Man Utd team that went on to win the European Cup. I also follow Derby and during pre BC Derby have to go back to the 1946 for their solitary cup success. I remember Derby signing Alan Durban and later Kevin Hector from Bradford PA both great players but playing for a lowely 2nd division club. The big derby match in pre BC days was Forest v Leicester..”
by max, derby
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:55PM
“Johnno Mapperly to say Derbys attendences are down to ticket prices is way off the mark ive been to both matches at City Ground this season and payed £21 pound each time Ill tell yuo something you wont see Derby for that money Dont forget your the team that invented kids for a quid to try and improve your gates You right in saying neither team can be considered big But all the East Midlands club are very well supported”
by Johnno, Mapperley
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:04PM
“James, Keep confirming your own prejudices and you will surely believe them. Derby are currently enjoying increased crowds due largely to cheap ticket prices. They are no bigger a club than Forest and never have been. Big clubs are the ones that attract huge crowds of 45000 plus and have extended their grounds to accomodate them ie Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool , Rangers and Celtic. Forest and Derby are not even in the same dimension.”
by James, Chesterfield
Monday, February 23 2009, 7:15PM
“Although Derby is a smaller city than Nottm, i believe there is a bigger and more informed fan base at Derby and the potential is greater. The Brian Clough factor is the only reason that Forest fans can claim superiority, but only while he was their manager. Whatever East Midlands team BC managed would be the biggest and best. Take BC out of the equation and Forest will always be a Cinderella to Derby.- a more significant club than Forest who are known to have inconsistent and fickle fans. Nigel will never leave Derby for a lesser club. That will exclude a move to Forest.”
by David, Scotland
Monday, February 23 2009, 5:22PM
“I support all local football Forest first Notts, Mansfield and take an interest in Derby , Leicester. In the late 70s BC had a chance of going back to Derby but chose Forest. I believe PT wanted to return and eventually did. BC never forgot it was Forest that gave him a chance to rebuild his career when nobody else dare touch him. When Nigel left Forest he came back to help out under Stuart Pearce and said " Its just like coming home". I think what Nigels has achieved in a very short space of time is fantastic . I also note that Derby players do not argue with referees and are trying to play good football. Clough time at Forest was 3 x longer than his time at Derby. His time at Hartlepool was closer in time difference to Derby.
Having said all of that Derby ,not for the first time ,have chosen a the manager I desperately wanted to see at Forest.”
by guess who?, nottingham
Monday, February 23 2009, 4:44PM
“The REAL question is when is Nigel Clough coming to take over at Forest .. everyone knows, its gonna happen. The sooner the better though especially with the current run of form.”
by NEV, DevonRam
Monday, February 23 2009, 2:26PM
“Must admit that I too have a soft spot for Notts Forest, a peat bog in County Armagh.
Chins up lads!!
Ewwwwe Raaaaammmms”