Derby Day

This was a Derby with a difference, the change from the usual razzamatazz coming after the game had finished.

The game was pretty much a sell-out, with the away fans, as is usual now, being limited to about 2,000 fans in one corner of the Lower Bridgford stand. I think this new arrangement for the fans in this part of the ground is beginning to work well. Normally 'our' section of the Lower Bridgford is quite sparsely populated, but I hear from those who have moved there that they like it and so it is to be hoped that the idea catches on and more folk are tempted move. The proximity to the away fans is the attraction for some and for others it is chance to gather many of our more vocal fans in one area to add to the noise of A Block.

The game itself was the usual high-tension affair. Not because there were lots of bad fouls and cards of all colours, but because these games are so important to the fans of both clubs. In fact the game was fairly insipid. Forest dominated the first 15 minutes or so, then Derby started to come into it with some pleasant midfield moves which, however, hardly threatened Darlow's goal. Then we scored with a goal straight off the training ground. Reidy hit a hard, low corner to the near post and Jack Hobbs raced in, unmarked, to score with a powerful header. After that we played out the remaining 10 minutes to half time with no problem.

Second half was much of the same. Derby trying to play passing football,  but not making any real impression on the Forest rearguard. Their only effort of note was a shot on the turn by Sammon coming just a few minutes from the end. This was, probably, during Derby's best spell of the game, which was surprising as they were down to 10 men, Keogh having been sent off for a second yellow card gained after a tackle in the box on Chris Cohen. The resultant penalty was saved by Grant, who went the correct way to palm Henderson's shot out for a corner. Reid also had a shot during a breakaway, but that was also saved. I think he just ran out of puff for that one.

Not one of the most memorable derbies, but the result is far more important than the style of victory.

The big event of the day came some hours after the game, Nigel Clough, son of Brian and the Derby manager, was sacked. A fine player for us during the time his father managed the club, Nigel had a spell of ten years at Burton and then moved to Derby County five years ago. With little money to spend, many considered him to have done a good job, trimming the wage bill and building a pretty useful team. However, sentiment has little place in football today and the board obviously considered he had done as much as he could for the club.

The new man, with strong links to Derby, is Steve McClaren. He was not a great success during a short spell as Forest manager, but has been welcomed with open arms at our rivals.