Source: Team_Talk
Clough cool over FA Cup quest
The famous trophy was the only piece of major silverware his father Brian failed to win during his long and illustrious reign as Nottingham Forest manager.[LNB]The closest he came was in 1991 when Forest were beaten 2-1 in extra-time by Tottenham.[LNB]It was also the closest Clough junior came to getting his hands on the trophy after he was picked to play in the Wembley showpiece.[LNB]A game that should have been remembered for one of the best goals ever scored in a FA Cup final - Stuart Pearce's thunderous 25-yard free-kick into the top corner to give Forest the lead - went down in history as the 'Gazza Final'.[LNB]The lasting image of the day was Paul Gascoigne being carried off on a stretcher with a serious knee injury following an horrific tackle on Gary Charles.[LNB]It was not the first rash challenge the Spurs midfielder had made in the game, having earlier kicked Gary Parker in the chest.[LNB]And Clough believes that referee Roger Milford's failure to send off Gascoigne cost Forest the FA Cup.[LNB]He admits it still torments him but, ahead of the fifth-round tie against Birmingham at Pride Park, Clough is adamant the competition has always remained purely a practical endeavour for him.[LNB]"If you talk to any of the lads that played that day we all still feel very hard done to by the referee," said Clough.[LNB]"It still rankles with all the players that he left the pitch without so much as a yellow card having made two of the worst tackles you'll ever see on a football pitch.[LNB]"He left the field on a stretcher, but we don't care. Gary Parker had stud marks all down his chest. Roger Milford just gave him a pat on the back and said 'Hope you're feeling better soon'. Then we lost the cup.[LNB]"It was an extremely frustrating day. They managed to sneak a 2-1 in extra-time with Des Walker unfortunately scoring an own goal. That was our shot at it.[LNB]"But there's no emotional or historical meaning for me with the FA Cup, it's always been more practical and a matter of just trying to get through the rounds.[LNB]"Even at Burton the money we made from the FA Cup games against Manchester United in 2006 paid for the stadium.[LNB]"The Pirelli Stadium had an overspend and wasn't done on budget but we were able to pay it all off just with the two games against Manchester United.[LNB]"That game, and particularly the replay at Old Trafford, set the club up really and helped it get into the Football League.[LNB]"So no, there's no personal motivation for me. There are far bigger issues than that with Derby and the 30,000 people we get turning up every week. It would be nice to give them a cup run."[LNB]Clough dropped a strong hint that he could name an unchanged starting line-up against Birmingham.[LNB]There will be a change to the squad, however, as new signing David Martin is ineligible having played against Derby for Millwall in the third round.[LNB]Lee Croft could replace him on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.[LNB][LNB]
