It's nearly here...
As an avid Forest fan, my heart is beginning to race at the thought of the upcoming weeks. I'm sure if you approached any other Forest fan or Derby fan for that matter, you will find that their nerves are also starting to settle in. It's nearly here.
Yes, it's the game that everyone eagerly searches for when the June fixture list comes out; the East Midlands Derby.
The second round for these two feisty rivals is sure to be one to go down in history as potentially one of the worst or best (depending on the outcome) local derbies most of our fans will have witnessed in a long time.
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| One of the things we DO agree on. RIP Brian Clough |
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| Jack Hobbs scoring the winner vs Derby |
McClaren's reign at Forest was short lived as he wondered into a confused and hurt dressing room. He was unaccepted from day one both on and off the pitch. This is no fault of his own, though some decisions in the weeks following certainly didn't help his case. The sacking of manager Billy Davies and the club finding themselves losing out in another play off attempt and staying in the division they almost escaped the previous year left little good will on the red side of the A52. Defeated before he began, McClaren started what turned out to be a heart breaking year for the reds who later lost chairman Nigel Doughty through death and fought to stay in the Championship.
This poor season ended up with Forest narrowly avoiding relegation and in the summer appointing new owners in the shape of Kuwaiti billionaires, the Al-Hasawi family. This promised a time of change for the reds and it lived up to it's promises. A year of manager changes, new players, media outrages and another play off miss left new Forest chairman with a heap of frustrations, a mass of disappointment, but never the less a chance to rebuild a new squad with reinstated manager Billy Davies.
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| Forest Boss and Owner |
Forest have been fairly consistent with results, only taking a recent stumble in the past two weeks. A decent run in the cup left Forest with too many games and far too many injuries to continue making an impact. Performances on the field have been average-good but well below the fluent fast counter attack side the Forest faithful are used to seeing.
Social networking has plenty to say on the disagreements between Forest fans who are either seeing these performances as points dropped or as good attempts regarding the situation. Some believe we are far below par compared to where we should be in the league where as others stick to their mantra "remember how bad we've been over the years". Despite the opinions Forest have indeed proved themselves a force at times, beating QPR comfortably this season, going on a run of 15 games unbeaten, keeping a mass of clean sheets and gaining 4 points off the leagues unrelenting leaders, Leicester City. Despite this, big defeats to Burnley and Wigan, plus previous results at Yeovil and at home to Blackpool have raised a few questions whether Forest can indeed complete the 'unfinished business' everyone speaks of.
Meanwhile over at the newly named iPro stadium, the Rams are on a rampage.
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| Newly named Ipro Stadium, Derby |
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| Patrick Bamford making an impact down the A52 |
As the league table stands, Derby are 6 points above Forest and 5 points behind Burnley. The Reds are 5 points clear of 6th place, but there is everything left to play for.
For the first time in years both teams are on a level with each other. Previous to this game Derby had either been miles above Forest or more recently, Forest attempting to storm into the premier league whilst Nigel Clough made the most of his fund deprived squad doing well around the mid table mark. Controversy has took over many of the games with the flag waving incident, Savage's scarf trick, the Atwell comedy fest and Nigel Clough's supposed kicking of Billy Davies making headlines.
Deservedly so, the rams are on fire; they are taking some fair beating and have found themselves in a fantastic promotion grabbing position near the top of the table. Nottingham Forest are doing well in their play off spots battling an injury prone squad but competing well against their promotion rivals. Despite the money spent from Forest and the little money spent from Derby, for the first time that most can remember the two teams are equal and are desperate for those all important 3 points to maintain the hope of returning to the dream land.
Derby have struggled against those sides around them so far this season, only managing to beat an ignorant dirty QPR side 1-0 at the iPro a few weeks ago. Forest on the other hand are missing September goal scorer Jack Hobbs, Chris Cohen, Andy Reid, Kelvin Wilson and Henri Lansbury (to name a few) through injury. They say anything can happen in a local derby. I wouldn't want to be the one to call this one.
This one is the big one. It's about the pride, it's about the bragging rights and it's a six pointer.
With two of the most passionate sets of fans awaiting their teams meeting in a few short weeks, this season is turning into one hell of a battle. Not to forget, it's also Billy vs Derby and McClaren vs Forest. I repeat: this is going to be a game to go down in the history books.
I'd wish the rams fans good luck, but I wouldn't mean it. Though credit to your league position and support.
All I personally have left to say is - Come on you reds!
See you on March 22nd!
:I went on twitter to find some Forest and Derby fans willing to give their opinion for the blog. Read on to see what they have to say...
Fan Views:
"So, the game in 3 weeks. Huge match for both clubs and that's without even considering the rivalry. As I write its important for Derby to maintain their push for automatic promotion and important for Forest to remain in the play offs. The season so far has been absolutely fantastic! Who would have expected us to be where we are now at the start of the season? Although secretly I had a suspicion Derby may be up there as some of the players were maturing along with the coup's we had made in the transfer market gave me great belief this could well be our time to get in them play offs. I did not expect us to be ending the season going for 2nd place! What do I make of Forest chances of promotion? Absolute non. They are in a mess off the field and this is key if you are all going to pull together. More injuries yet no replacements, wonder if there is any truth in their 2nd transfer embargo of the season? Expected by majority of fans to walk the league this year on the back of a 17m loss previous season shows that investment gets you no where without that togetherness and class of coach, as to which I believe Derby have.Worst memories of the EM Derby! Got to be the 5-2 loss at the City Ground. Could have been difference had we made it 4-3 but wasn't to be.Best memory and my best ever game was the ten men victory in 2011. For 89 minutes we had ten men with a 1 nil scoreline. Ten men came back and embarrassed Forest. Loved it!Memorable moment would be for sure seeing both fans singing One Brian Clough at Pride Park for the debut of the Clough Trophy. A trophy that should never be underestimated by either sets of fans. Other memorable moments are the fact it always kicks off in the game no matter who is manager or playing! Nothing like passion hey!"Nick Webster @dcfc_flagman
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"Opinion on the game in 3 weeks: For many reasons it’s probably the biggest east midlands derby for a long time, with Derby still in the hunt for an automatic promotion place and Forest still mathematically can make the top 2 but a play off spot is more realistic. Obviously it’s not just 3 points available, there’s local pride and bragging rights but this season more than ever the 3 points are the biggest prize on offer. It’s getting to the stage of the season where you’re not only looking at your own teams result but starting to rely on other teams slipping up or the opposition doing you a favour. Derby will be looking to erase the memory of the Burnley defeat with 2 victories in back to back home games before a tough trip to Reading, whereas Forest go to Barnsley, Middlesbrough then host Doncaster at the City Ground so both sides have the opportunity to go into the derby in good form. Everyone’s aware of Forest’s injury problems and they do seem to have had an effect on their results but Billy Davies will be delighted they’re still in the top 6 although their position looks under threat if results don’t improve. It will be interesting to see how the teams line up on the day, Derby have only long term absentees out injured so I have fairly good idea of who will play whereas Forest despite all their injuries still have some very good players available at this level. The games at Derby are always much tighter, have fewer goals and tend to go off without any controversy compared to the City Ground where there’s lots of goals, talking points generally speaking a better football match. Plus wherever the game is held there’s usually a red card thrown in for good measure so it’d be nice for both sides to keep 11 players on the pitch, nobody wants the game spoilt so a strong referee is needed. I think Mark Clattenburg who refereed at Pride Park last season was the best we’d had in a Derby v Forest game for many years. Nobody wants to lose the derby game but a draw for either side probably won’t help them to reach their goal at the end of the season so I expect both teams to go for it and try and win. What influence will the fact Billy Davies won’t be on the touchline have on the game, who knows but for the pure pantomime effect it’s a shame he’s not going to be pitch side alongside ex Forest manager Steve McClaren. With so much riding on the match it has all the ingredients to be a great day, form goes out of the window for a local derby so difficult to predict the result so let’s just hope it’s a cracker.The season so far: I’ve heard many Derby fans say that the defeat at the City Ground earlier in the season was the best thing that could’ve happened to us and I have to say I agree. There didn’t appear to be any threat from us in that game and Forest could’ve won by more. This of course prompted a change of manager and the arrival along with Steve of Paul Simpson and Eric Steele. Nigel Clough had done a steady job over the years but it felt right to make the change and push the club and the team onwards. The impact Steve McClaren has had has surpassed everyone’s expectations so much that if we missed out on promotion it probably would feel deflating but we need to take a step back and look how far we’ve come and if we don’t go up then we’ll give it a great go again next season. Funnily enough Nigel Cloughs record for us against Forest was excellent so it’ll be interesting to see how we fare without him. Most fans would’ve taken a top 6 finish at the start of the season and most wouldn’t of thought it was likely but now it’s very much on the cards at least and in the play offs it’s a lottery so who knows what might happen, there could even be a Derby v Forest play off final at Wembley, although it’d probably be too much stress for most fans and they wouldn’t like it. The next few games for us and Burnley will be massive and who’s got the 2nd spot by the end of the month I think will hold onto it, we need Burnley to drop points whilst continuing to win our games but it’s definitely doable.What you make of the rivals promotion chances/season so far: Forest have had a very good season so far and will probably be disappointed to not be slightly higher in the league but lately injuries have had an effect. Billy Davies is a very good manager at this level and is always likely to get a team motivated and playing winning football and more often than not will get the team in the top 6. He’s still convinced that top 2 is achievable but that would take a superb run of results for them and others to falter but it’s unlikely but not impossible. I think March’s result will go a long way to deciding who’ll finish where as there’s so many games so Forest need to be careful they don’t let all the injuries derail their season. My prediction is they’ll finish 6th and make the play offs.Best/worst memories of the east midlands derby’s: Best memories, well there’s quite a few but the 10 men win sticks out and is a day I’ll never forget and it’ll probably never happen again. The FA Cup win a few years back where we came from 2-0 to win 3-2 and obviously there was scarf waving by a certain Robbie Savage. Finally the 1-0 win at Pride Park in 2010 when Rob Hulse scored and it ended Forests 19 game unbeaten run. Worst memories, the 5-2 loss at the City Ground is probably the one all Derby fans would like to forget. Getting thrashed in a local derby is terrible. Also how could I forget the 1-1 draw at Pride Park in the game that was refereed by Stuart Atwell, so many talking points with goals ruled out, red card, penalty saved by Lee Camp – that game had everything (apart from a good referee)Memorable moments: Most memorable moments are probably the wins (mainly at the City Ground) but I also remember the Robbie Savage scarf waving, Nathan Tyson with the corner flag and Nigel Clough allegedly kneeing Billy Davies in the mele at Pride Park. There’s so many connection between the clubs whether it be players or managers and the east midlands derby’s never go without incident, great games to be at but even greater if you win."Daniel Warwick @derbydaniel
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"The upcoming game: I think this'll be the biggest Derby/Forest game that there's been in the last 10 years. The fact that both of us are in and around the Play-Off/ Automatic Promotion spots at the same time just adds that little bit more pressure and spice to the game. It's going to be one hell of a battle.The season so far (Derby): From a Derby supporters point of view, it's been hectic! The sacking of Nigel Clough only hours after our 1-0 defeat to Forest came as a huge shock. I don't think it's ever a good time to sack your manager who had been at the club for the best part of 4-5 years, never mind the fact he was the son of arguably Derby's best ever manager.The swift appointment of Steve McClaren as Head Coach brought mixed opinions. Many were skeptical at first, myself included, but when he announced that he would be bringing in Ex-Ram's Paul Simpson and Eric Steele as his assistant and Goalkeeping coach, there was a feeling of excitement back around the place.Fast forward 6 months and we currently sit 3rd in the league, playing good, attacking football with a buzz around the city again.The season so far (Forest): I looked at the players Forest bought in at the beginning of the season and expected you to be right up there challenging for an automatic promotion spot, with the minimum being a Play-Off place. I think your owners would have expected this also with the transfer fee's and wages paid out.It's fair to say that you're league position at the moment is a fair reflection on your season so far? I think many Forest supporters would've taken your current standing if you'd known you'd have so many injuries at this stage of the campaign.The one player that always seems to catch my attention whenever I see Forest on TV is Jamie Paterson. With 9 goals to his name already, I doubt he'd of expected the impact he's made so quick into his career at the City Ground. The one thing that stands out with him for me is that he scores different kind of goals regularly. A really talented player, who looks destined for the top if he continues the way he's performing for Forest.Best memories: The 3-0 win back in 2004 was the best all round performance in a Derby/Forest game, in my opinion. From what I can remember, we were in total control that day, all 3 goal's were created brilliantly.The 1-0 win in 2011, scored by Jake Buxton in injury time was pretty special. It was one of those moments you would pay good money to relive again. It was a pretty scrappy and tense affair and neither side deserved to win it to be fair!That famous comeback in the FA Cup where we can back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 was another one that will live long in the memory. Ex-Forest man Kris Commons getting the winner made it that little bit more sweeter too.The 2-1 win in 2012 when we had to practically play 90 minutes with only 10 men was pretty special. Everything that could of possibly gone wrong in that first 5-10 minutes did, but we stayed calm and deserved the win in the end.Worst memories: One game which I still think about to this day is the 1-1 draw back in 2008. 90 minutes were up, a last minute corner was taken by Kris Commons and up rose Miles Addison to head home a winner to make it 2-1 to Derby... Before Stuart Atwell blew his whistle to signal for a penalty, disallowing the goal! Up stepped Nacer Barazite, saved by Lee Camp!That's not it though..Forest clear it for another Derby corner, taken again by Commons and again Addison scores an almost carbon copy of the one that was disallowed for the penalty, surely this won Derby the game? Of course not, Atwell disallowed the goal AGAIN for an apparent foul. Ridiculous decision. The fact that Atwell didn't referee at Pride Park for another 5 years speaks volumes!The worst performance that I've ever seen by a Derby side in a East Midlands Derby was the 5-2 drubbing at the City Ground. We were dreadful that day, Forest totally outclassed us in every department. Looking back on it at the time, I wouldn't have minded you getting a 6th goal in the end if it stopped you using the A5-2' joke!Through gritted teeth, it's good to see both of us challenging for promotion again. We, as clubs, with the history we both have, deserve to be playing at the highest level of English football.Prediction for the game: Derby 4-2 Forest (I had too!)"Joe @derbycountytalk
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The game: Having seen Derby and Forest a few times this season it would be impossible to call. Derby have a tenancy to have a few off days and more recently have lost a bit of their early mojo which saw them scoring for fun. As for the red half their team is so plagued with injuries you cant tell what the line up will be but judging from their injury list it definitely wont be the first team their fans would like.The season: As i said before Derby have lost their free scoring mojo, we have tended to grind out results lately with a few 1-0s, but as for the season as a whole we have done brilliantly and i couldn't be prouder of the boys.Take on Rivals: As I've said been a few times to see forest this season with my lovely girlfriend (the forest fan doing this write up) and i have been impressed with their fluid quick football and the deadly crossing from Reid he'll be a massive loss for them while he is out and if they can hold on to the play off spots while he is absent then they have a good shout for promotion if they can finally break the playoff hoodoo. automatic is just too much with how ravaged their side is.Best: Beating forest 3-1 at a warm sunny city ground on the weekend of my 18th birthday. Nyatanga, Hulse and Davies the scorers it was a day ill never forget and was the second win over forest at the city ground in just a couple weeks after already knocking them out of the FA cup.Worst: The Atwell game. it would have been the 5-2 loss but i wasn't actually at that game and i feel the game being destroyed by an outsider was terrible, he made shocking decisions throughout for both sides and I've never felt anger such as that before in my life i was seething leaving the ground.Memorable moments:Opposed to what I've already written it would have to be meeting my girlfriend outside pride park (we weren't together at this point just good friends) and getting snapped up by a photographer me in my Derby hat and Jess with her forest scarf wrapped round her neck with the title split loyalties written underneath on the Derby telegraph Website, not so sure things will so be cheery on the 22nd though now we're actually together it could get heated haha." -Conner Crowder @MrRamtastic
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"THE GAME IN THREE WEEKS: I am eagerly anticipating the return of one of the, in my opinion, greatest derbies to grace this country on the 22nd of March. Nottingham Forest are the visitors to the i-Pro Stadium and the stakes seem to be set considerably higher than usual given both clubs current rankings in the league table. At the time of writing, with three weeks till the fixture, both teams have a realistic chance of potentially reaching the Promised Land via what appears to be the one remaining automatic promotion spot. I feel that given the situation the nerves and tensions among both sets of fans with be heightened to levels never seen before. My heart tells me that Derby will edge the fixture with a 3-1 victory, however my more realistic head reckons that it will be a hard fought 1-1 draw.SEASON SO FAR / RIVALS PROMOTION CHANCES: As a Derby fan going into the start of the current season, I was expecting nothing more than mid-table nothingness with a glimmer of a hope that we would possibly make an attempt on the play-offs. When the news broke that Nigel Clough had been relieved of his duties as the manager of Derby County, I was as shocked as anyone. I will openly admit to being a little speculative and critical of the club for doing what they did and the timing of the decision. The introduction of Steve Mcclaren, Eric Steele and Paul Simpson came as something as a shock to me. In Mcclaren, as much as many Forest fans will disagree, I feel we have one of the, if not the, best coach outside of the Premier League. His record speaks for itself, as does the average points per game racked up by Derby since he took the reins. In Eric Steele I feel we have the very best in the business of goalkeeping coaches.For us to be sat in third position in the league going in to the last dozen or so games of the campaign really is something of a remarkable achievement. The romantic in me wants to think that we will sneak Burnley to the second place and go up automatically. The realist suggests that we will have to settle for a place in the play-offs, which in itself presents a mammoth task given our record against the so called ‘better’ teams in the division.As for the promotion chances of our rivals Nottingham Forest I think a lot hinges on their current injury crisis and whether they will be able to bring in any players on loan to cover the voids. My heart wants to suggest that they will slip out of the top six with something of a whimper, however I believe that they will finish inside the top six, with sixth place being theirs.Derby County vs Nottingham Forest....at Wembley....surely not....BEST / WORST MEMORIES OF THE EAST MIDLANDS DERBY: One particular memory which springs to mind when considering Derby v Forest encounters is that of March 2004. Derby County were already in the ascendancy with a 1-0 lead when Paul Peschisolido charged after a ball which was set to run harmlessly towards goalkeeper Barry Roche. A certain plastic coffee cup had other ideas however and provided a much needed change of direction for the football, sending it past Roche and into the path of the Derby striker to make it 2-0 with a simple tap in, the game finishing at 4-2 to the Rams.The introduction of the Brian Clough Trophy is something of a highlight for the East Midlands Derby. The first time it was contested was via a pre-season ‘friendly’ in which Derby took the honours. The nature of the trophy is what is important, the symbolisation. Brian Clough, the greatest manager to ever grace the planet, a man who still to this day provides both clubs with a meeting point for mutual respect.The injury to Derby’s Shaun Barker is something of a bad memory for me regarding the East Midlands Derby. The fixture at Pride Park in 2012 was somewhat marred with what was clearly a very serious injury due to the manner of the care and time taken by the medics attending to him on the pitch. The very same injury keeps him out of action to this day, although I am lead to believe that he may be seeing light at the end of the tunnel with regards to playing again. I have utmost respect for the Nottingham Forest fans in attendance that day. If my memory serves me correct, I seem to remember the entire lot of them standing to their feet and applauding him off the pitch when he was finally stretchered off."
Richard Marsh @richardmarsh87
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"The Game: As with every Derby vs Forest game I find myself with a sense of pessimism and nerves and this one is no different; with the game billed as the most important in modern times these feelings are only exacerbated.From what I have witnessed of Forest, what I have been told (I live with two Forest fans) and what I already know of Billy Davies a.k.a. the poison dwarf I expect Forest to be slightly defensive with a counter-attacking strategy at the iPRO.What we have learnt from McClaren’s tactics at Derby is that he is willing to throw men to the cause for 3 points; with the majority of games ending with four strikers on the pitch. Because of this I feel the game will be a clash of two styles; an early goal for Derby and I could see us scoring 2-3, however, my gut feeling is it will be an underwhelming draw.Score prediction: 1-1The season so far: In one word: unbelievable.Well... It’s been beyond even the most optimistic Derby fans imagination. The sacking of Nigel split the fans in two; I’m firmly in the side that thought it was his time to go. For me his time to go was in the summer but fair play to Derby for allowing him time this season to see if we had progressed; alas we had not. The transformation under McClaren, Simpson and Steele has been incredible and I think more than justifies the sacking of Nigel. For me we were never going to be serious contenders to go up under Nigel and the turnaround further personifies that.There is a new feel good factor around the club with former fan favourites visiting on match-days, an extra 3,400 fans each week (under Nigel 22,128, Under McClaren 25,575) and our away attendances almost doubling. There’s a feeling now that if it isn’t this season it will be next season when we go up.Season prediction: 3rd with Play-Off heartbreakYour season so far: In one word: underwhelming.With one of my housemates pro-Billy and the other anti-Billy I like to think I’m quite knowledgeable of Forests season; factually Forest have the second highest spending rate in the Championship, from that stat alone Forest should be higher than 5th. Although any team suffering the injuries you have would struggle for form and obviously your form has dropped since the start of February; but that is where my sympathies stop. Both Burnley and Derby have assembled squads on less than Forest have spent on one or two players and Wigan had seven players missing and still managed to win 4-1. Even if you take February out of the equation Forest have drew too many games and still underachieved. Grudgingly, Davies knows how to get teams into the Play-Offs so this blip will not last.Season prediction: 5th with Play-off heartbreakBest Memories: I have been quite lucky that I started following Derby in 1998 as we’ve had the better record of the two since that period so for me there have been more than enough fantastic memories. From this I have chosen two choices one at home and one away:My greatest ever game as a fan the 3-2 victory in the cup and 3-0 victory at PPS in 2004.3-2:This game had everything; it was a night-match, it was a knock-out so no draws, Forest went 2-0 up and we came back to win 3-2. Seeing the jubilation turn to demoralisation on your rivals’ faces is one of the best views in the world; I will never forget how in the space of 50 minutes the Forest fans went from constant goading towards the away-end to not even glancing once. To top it off it was our first win at the City Ground since the 1970s (not that we had to wait too long for the next victory). What a night.3-0:The reason I have chosen this game is because of the near domination Derby had over Forest. Rasiak with two goals (he loved a goal against Forest) and Tommy Smith with one. That season under George Burley was arguably the most exciting I have witnessed which adds to this game.Worst Memory: 3-0 Forest. Enough said.Memorable Moments: Robbie Savage and his lovely scarves.Peschisolido and his lovely cup of coffee.The Brian Clough friendly was a nice touch by the two clubs. And it was also a nice touch for a Premiership side (in name only) agreeing to play a League One side.""Derby are a team that create chances and you do so you will always score goals. They are big contenders for promotion in my opition. They have what Forest are looking for in a genuine goal scorer (Bamford). Forest Injury problems will come into contention. My best memory will be the Earnie goal at Pride Park but Campy saving the last minute penalty was special too. The game has the ability to make or break the season. If Forest would have won the came the year we were unbeaten away I think we would have won automatic promotion. It's a game where mentality supersedes ability.I think whoever wins the game will be the most successful club at the end of the season. Forest need to prove that they can still compete at the top of the table where as Derby are riding on confidence rather than ability. My worst moment is without a doubt when Commons smashed in the 3-2 winner."Bradley White @bradleywhite10
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"The game: Probably the most entertaining the game will be for a long time. When Derby had Clough, they were very intent on stopping Forest in previous games, usually in dirty manner. That usually stalled the games, decreasing the quality of the atmosphere. Nowadays though, both clubs are up there and will be wanting to win. If anything, it'll be Forest trying to defend more, with a lesser squad due to injuries. Got a feeling it'll be a very open game with quite a few goals, and it's what the derby needs, because for some time this one has been has been ruined by the slow tempo of the game, with both teams remaining relatively solid and not taking risks.Season so far: The season so far has been a mixed one for Forest. Despite having enough to get into the playoffs, it's also been frustrating. We've led in so many games and conceded late goals due to visibly negative tactics, and we could've been so much further up.With the recent injuries, a drop was maybe expected. But with the squad we had up until Christmas, we should be dropping out of the automatic places into the playoffs, not dropping out of the playoffs altogether. Too many times the management have appeared happy with "good draws" when the fans have come back thinking we should've got so much more, with a bit of ambition.Derby's season so far: Unfortunately they're doing well. Too well. They appointed the right manager at the right time, with a squad that were well capable of achieving more than they were under McClaren. It looked like it would be a normal, average season for them below us, and then they decided to kick their season on. They're playing great football and grinding out wins when it matters, and I doubt they'll drop out now. Even if they don't go up, I reckon they've got a decent future under McClaren, if they can keep him.Best/Worst memories of the East Midlands derby: The best memories have to be doing the double over them, winning 5-2 and 1-0 a few years ago. The atmosphere was great and previous to those games, they'd had a lot of victories over us, so it made it sweeter. The worst has to be the losses when Kris Commons was playing, they really riled me, just because it was Kris Commons. Their 10 men win and Buxton's last minute goal against us when we had Cotterill was utterly depressing.Memorable moments: Memorable for all the wrong reasons were their chants about Nigel Doughty following his death."Will Ward @will_forest
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"Game in 3 weeks: As an overall contest, it's the most meaningful meeting between the two in years, possibly even as far as when Brian Clough's Forest first went to Peter Taylor's Derby in 1983. Whereas Forest normally have either a promotion chasing season or a relegation avoiding one, Derby's season's nearly always been finished in March since they came down. On this occasion, both are going for the richest prize in football. That said, you'd have to say the game probably means more to Derby than Forest on this occasion. Unless Forest magically find a cure for every single injury going, automatic promotion is but a dream. For Derby on the other hand, it's still a slight possibility - plus they'll be out to avenge Jack Hobbs' header in September. However, entering the game Forest have a fantastic chance of going to the iPro with real momentum as their next three fixtures are all winnable. To quote Steve Claridge, "put a few wins together, and all of a sudden..."The season so far: I'm probably in a select minority of Forest fans who believe we're doing exactly what's expected of us. At no point have I ever thought we'd directly challenge for the top two places, despite opening the chequebook in the summer. You also have to remember that ourselves aside, of the top six three were Premier League as recently as 2010, one's just lost £34m in a continued attempt to get back to the top flight, and the other has also been in the league above within the last 10 years (though I suspect they'd try and forget that season...cough 11 points) - we're the only team in the top six that hasn't been in the Premier League since the new millennium. Personally, I think Davies is again doing a brilliant job and even with our crippling injury list, I still have full confidence we will have at least two extra games when the season ends in May. The spending has obviously gotten to people's heads as apparently we're expected to wipe the floor with every single team, but football just doesn't work like that.Rivals promotion chances/take on the season so far: Derby have massively overachieved, and really you have to take your hat off to them. You also have to give full credit to Steve McClaren. Again, I'm in a minority of Forest fans who doesn't actually mind him. When he arrived on Trentside, he walked into a changing room devastated their very popular manager had left and annoyed they were still in the division - it was a recipe for disaster and a cauldron of fire. On the contrary, when he went back to Derby, he seemed like a breath of fresh air so it's really no surprise to me he's doing so well. Although (at time of writing) they're five points behind Burnley, if former Red Patrick Bamford can keep banging them in, I wouldn't rule them out until it's mathematically possible. I do think the play-offs would be one step too for them, mind.Best/worst memories of the East Midlands Derby: Get the bad news out the way first, worst memory hands down has to be when we bottled a 2-0 half time lead at The City Ground in the FA Cup and Judas Commons got the winner. Savage waving that scarf at A Block after just rubbed salt into the wounds, and from a personal note the news capped off a very miserable day - got turned down by a girl, didn't do well in a test, that happened and then ITV put a Tic Tac advert over Dan Gosling's goal for Everton against Liverpool...a day to remember for all the wrong reasons! As for the best, well the 3-2 where Forest raced into a 3-0 half time lead has to be up there (Tyson, grab the flag!), as does Judas' last game for Derby coming in a 1-0 Forest win at Pride Park where Earnshaw scored the winner - Savage petulantly slamming his boots on the floor after being subbed just added to the occasion. While Hobbs' header is a highlight, the best simply has to be the 5-2 demolition. What made it even better is that the Derby official website didn't upload a match report or their own highlights, they just tried to pretend it never happened, bless them. There's also a picture at full time of the score in the background which also shows a dejected Dean Leacock and an ecstatic Chris Gunter - the contrast of emotions is incredible. Without doubt my favourite 'I was there' moment since I've been supporting Forest.Memorable moments: "Nigel, what's the score?" just a few hours prior to his dismissal has to be one! As for fan unison, at the first Brian Clough Cup game at Pride Park, both sets of fans before the game sang "sing up, for the Brian Clough" which was quite special. My personal favourite though is when Derby were chanting "we'll sing on our own" while Forest had the ball in their half, still singing when Tyson skipped past Brayford, still singing when he then crossed to Anderson, still singing when Anderson nodded it down, and then stopped just as the commentator screams "EARNSHAW!!!!!!!" as 4000 Forest fans go ballistic in the away end. Bliss!"Christian Brown @chris78901
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