Forest striker Earnshaw: I'll thrive on jeers from Rams fans

By [ptaylor] paul taylor

FOR once, Robert Earnshaw is able to look forward to a rare return to Pride Park where he might not be considered public enemy No.1.

Or, at the very least, he will not expect to be the only man targeted for stick by the Derby fans.

With former Rams boss Billy Davies also set to make his first return to the club, as manager of Nottingham Forest, the striker knows the abuse may be shared around.

While Nigel Clough's presence in the home dug-out will also help to attract some of the attention away from the Welsh international.

But either way, Earnshaw is unperturbed.

In fact, the in-form striker is actually hoping that the stick rains down from the terraces – because he says it will help fire him on as he looks to continue his recent record of having scored in all of his last four matches.

"It (Davies' presence) might take a bit of pressure of me – but he won't be out there on the pitch playing and I will," said Earnshaw.

"It is something you just have to take on your shoulders and be big about.

"I have had it a couple of times before – being from Cardiff I have had it at Swansea before.

"It is not a big problem for me – in fact, it may be a good thing because I like the challenge of taking this on my shoulders and overcoming it in games.

"It makes me want to do well.

"We were okay in the first game, in terms of our performance, and hopefully we can be better again this time.

"The biggest thing for me is taking the boos, whether they are aimed at me or the manager, and, if we win, we will be okay and won't have to worry about it."

Earnshaw admits the fixture is a mouthwatering prospect for everyone involved – and that he was thrilled by the draw from the moment it was made.

"It should be a good game. The FA Cup can just sometimes be a bit like this," he said.

"It builds the game up even more because it is a local derby. That is how it has happened for us.

"There is the obvious connections of the two managers, which obviously only adds to the spice of the occasion as well.

"It has built up the profile of the game hugely. People everywhere will be keeping a careful eye on this game.

"It will be good for us and the big thing is that we have already been there this season."

And, whatever the outcome, Earnshaw believes the fixture should be a good experience for Forest's young squad.

"It is the sort of match that will be good for our younger players as well, for those lads who have perhaps not played in as high profile matches before," he said.

"They are aware of what to expect, nothing will be a surprise.

"They are expecting the tension, the crowd and the atmosphere – boos even. None of this will be a surprise.

"We know what we need to do and we know what we need to overcome.

"We want to play well in the competition and get through the next round – to the final if possible.

"But when it comes to games like this, it is all the more brilliant as a player because of that local rivalry.

"It is a big, big game for us and a good one for us to try to win. If we can win we will certainly be smiling and looking forwards to the next round.

"The fans will have been looking forward to this match as much as anything else and probably talking about this game as much as anything else for the last few weeks."

Earnshaw is expecting a different kind of match than Forest's last visit there, when referee Stuart Attwell's bizarre decision-making made for a controversial final five minutes, with Lee Camp saving a disputed penalty and Derby having another goal disallowed.

"It was all about the decisions from the ref, it was nothing to do with the players," said Earnshaw.

"I can't imagine that happening again. It will be strange if it does, because it was an odd last five minutes.

"It might be a different game, with a different atmosphere to it. The players will be more comfortable this time."

Overall, while he recognises the vast importance of the match to supporters – and assures them Forest will be giving their all to get a win – Earnshaw says pulling clear of relegation trouble remains the priority.

"This is a small part of the bigger jigsaw we are trying to put together this season, in terms of trying to win matches and take the club forward," he added.

"We have to carry on working as hard as we have been.

"We have to have confidence. When you are winning matches it gives you a lift as a team.

"There is a confidence about everyone at the minute. We go into matches believing we can win."

And, while he may be bracing himself for a few jeers during the 90 minutes, Earnshaw is hoping that the only noise come the final whistle is caused by the delighted celebrations of the travelling fans.