Bragging Rights Retained

The latest installment in the Brian Clough Trophy saw the bragging rights retained by The Rams in an East Midlands Derby that they won easily on Sunday.

The first half was actually quite even with neither side looking very sharp in front of goal. An own goal by Nikolas Bendtner separating the two sides at the break. I for one was very cautious at half time as we were in the same position a couple of years ago and went on to lose 2-1.

The second half saw our team take complete control and Forest who had star men Assombalonga and Lansbury missing weren't at the races. Their lack of depth in their squad being cruelly exposed as their starting eleven failed to compete.

Every single one of the Derby side could go away at the final whistle without receiving criticism for their performance. Even the much maligned Chris Baird has now started to win fans over. His superb pass for Tom Ince's brilliant goal to put us 2-0 up will be talked about for quite some time.

It may have finished 3-0, but in reality it coul have been more.

There were a few talking points in the game. Darren Bent should have had a second yellow card earlier in the game according to our visiting fans and indeed on another day he might have done. However, it appears that the referee gave him the benefit of the doubt as to whether it was an intended foul or a slip when he brought down Eric Lichaj. To be honest if every bookable offence was applied in this fixture over the years, some of the games may well have ended with 9 or 10 a side. My opinion is that had we been reduced to10 men on Sunday, a familiar chant from the home fans may have made a comeback as I'm sure we may well have won the game with one player less.  Lichaj himself did more than enough to pick up two yellow cards in the game, but only received the one.

Some are complaining that Derby didn't return the ball when Stojkovic kicked it out to enable Olsson to receive treatment. Well, to be honest quite a few also didn't realise that, that was his intent. Ben Osborn in fact tried to prevent the ball from going out and that for me validates our claim to retain the ball from the throw in. Some may disagree, but the goal wasn't actually scored from the restart in play either. It was two plays and the own goal came after some shocking defending.

This game always brings up the odd talking point and this time the amateur dramatics by Ben Osborn was one. His clash with Bradley Johnson saw the most pathetic put on by a visiting player I have seen in a good few years.The lad was a hero for Forest a couple of seasons ago, but Sunday he let himself down.

Our defence had been described as shaky by Kenny Burns pre game. This was surely a pure wind up as it has set a new club record for clean sheets. Not wanting to temp fate, but its as good as any in the division at the moment.

Tonight we head to Shepherds Bush and a match at struggling QPR. They are now managed by Ian Holloway who had given us quite a bit of stick during our poor spell under Nigel Pearson. I'm sure our players will be eager to remind him how form has improved since a change of manger.

Holloway though will have done his homework and I for one am expecting a tough game with his game killing, time wasting, negative tactics.

Fingers crossed for another three points.

On a Roll Leading to the Big One

It's that time  of the season again! Yes! The East Midlands Derby is this Sunday and both Derby and Nottingham Forest have hit form.

Derby are on a run of five straight wins, Forest too have picked up their form of late.

Both rode their luck a little at the weekend too!

Forest scraped past nine man Newcastle in a game that had fans divided over some of the refereeing decisions.

Derby took a lead away at Wigan, but for long periods in the second half were having to defend their one goal advantage. The defence came away with yet another clean sheet.

The run of wins has certainly changed the mood amongst paying supporters at Pride Park! Wins against Leeds and Norwich are not to be scoffed at. Both sides are up there and should be in the mix at the end of the season.

There is no room for complacency though. Forest are a team that know where the net is and haven't been in short supply of goals with or without Britt Assombalonga. Their star striker has had a few niggly injuries since coming back from a long lay off.

Henri Lansbury has scored a few including a hat trick from midfield recently. a powerful performer in midfield and a player we need to boss from the word go.

What is important to us Rams is that Darren Bent is fit. Both he and Ince have looked different players since McClaren's return as manager.

A leaky forest defence may well be their downfall. One thing I am certain about is that this won't be a goalless draw.

An attacking display will be needed and the midfield will be vital. Bradley Johnson who is in my opinion our most improved player this season will have his work cut out protecting the back four.

The much used cliche of form goes out of the window and on the day the team that want it more will win.

Hopefully that team is Derby County and bragging rights remain this side of Brian Clough Way.