Nottingham Forest look to maintain momentum in Friday night clash with Derby County

Nottingham Forest will hope to extend their unbeaten run over local rivals Derby County when the Rams visit on Friday night.

The Reds have not lost at home to Derby in eight games – a run stretching back to September 2012 – and could provide the final nail in Rams boss Philip Cocu’s coffin if Forest come out victorious.

Similar to Forest, County have suffered a slow start to the season. The Rams have won just two games in eight matches in all competitions this season, a 1-0 victory over Barrow in the League Cup and a 1-0 win at Norwich City at the start of October.

The Rams have, however, shown a defensive weakness – more prominently displayed in the 4-0 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

From the dug-outs

Despite their lowly position, County are two places below Forest in 22nd – just a point below the Reds, Chris Hughton is fully aware of the threat they possess.

He said: “Any pressure on management is normal, whatever end of the table you’re at.

“It is about expectations, if you’re at a club that is expected to be in a certain position or a club that is in a bad run of form, it is part of the game.

“They’re the highs and lows that managers have to go through.

“They have an experienced manager, they have good quality, a lot of young players in the squad that they are developing and they are capable of winning any game.

“When I look at their performances, they have probably deserved more than what they have got.”

A trip to Nottingham Forest is never an easy task for Derby County, and it will be made even more difficult by their recent turn in form.

Before Chris Hughton’s arrival at the City Ground, the Reds had won just once in twelve matches in all competitions – including a dramatic 1-1 draw at Pride Park where Chris Martin snatched a 96th minute equaliser.

The poor run of form, and their failure to reach the play-offs last season, ultimately cost Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi his job, leading to the appointment of Hughton.

And the former Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion boss has reignited a spark within the Forest squad, taking four points from his first two matches in charge.

Asked whether he expects a challenge similar to that seen at Derby County back in early July, Cocu said: “They have quite a few new players in, that’s true.

“I think with the new manager, and of course every manager is different in their approach and the way they prepare, there will be differences, but I think in the way and style they play is quite similar, so that is nothing new.

“I think they have a very good squad, individual qualities, a strong side who defend well.”

Team news

Cocu could call upon Martyn Waghorn – who was sent-off in the derby fixture three months ago – for his first start of the season.

The former Ipswich Town striker has missed most of the season due to a thigh injury but was a used substitute in Tuesday’s defeat at Huddersfield Town.

Louie Sibley is another who could feature for the Rams after missing three matches as a result of a hamstring injury.

Wayne Rooney will miss out as he continues to self isolate after encountering someone that tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Jordon Ibe and Krystian Bielik will play for the under-23s against Southampton as they build fitness following injuries.

Chris Hughton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Friday night’s fixture as Joe Worrall, Fouad Bachirou and Tyler Blackett remain the only players out through injury.

 

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