Source: Team_Talk
Commons puts blast in the past
Midfielder Commons was hauled off at the interval against former club Nottingham Forest after a disastrous first-half performance in Derby's defeat at the City Ground last Saturday.
The 25-year-old was at fault for Forest's second and third goals as they built a 3-0 lead by half-time and although the Rams pulled two goals back after the break, the damage had already been done.
County manager Clough left no one in doubt who he felt was to blame for the defeat, saying: "He (Commons) gave a free-kick away on the touchline for Forest's second goal and gave the ball away for their third.
"But it wasn't just that. Everybody gives the ball away, it is the manner in which you do it.
"He tried to nutmeg somebody in his own half, away from home, in the 44th minute when we were 2-0 down.
"And then having lost the ball, he just stood still and watched it."
However, Commons, who joined up with his Scotland team-mates at their Cameron House base ahead of the must-win double-header at Hampden against Macedonia and Holland, believes he was simply a victim of falling below his own high standards.
"He said: "I wasn't disappointed (by what was said).
"I played badly and there are no grey areas with the gaffer. It's black and white.
"If you play well, he is the first to congratulate you but I played badly for 45 minutes and got a hammering, so I take it on the chin.
"I made two mistakes and cost us two goals; it got highlighted
and the manager didn't like it.
"There is history between the both clubs and I think Nigel got a bit of stick from their fans and so he aimed at me."
Commons added: "I don't think I need to prove him wrong.
"He knows what I am capable of and that's why he probably had a
dig at me.
"My standards had dropped, not just a little bit but to standards that he had never seen before so it was probably a little dig at me to kick on a bit."
Commons, however, believes Scotland's players do have to prove their critics wrong following last month's 4-0 defeat in Norway which left them needing all six points against Macedonia and Holland if they are to have a chance of a play-off spot.
"There will be a lot of players who feel like that," the midfielder said.
"The way we lost in Norway, we owe it to the fans, the manager and anyone who has put confidence in you to go and do a job.
"There's a lot of players who didn't turn up in Norway, although there were decisions that went against us, like the sending off.
"I think it's time to knuckle down and put in our best
performance to get three points against Macedonia.
"We have 90 minutes to secure a win and I think if we do, then it's in our hands to give Holland the best that we can offer.
"Everyone is up for the game and there is no doubt in my mind that we will win the match and then all the concentration will be on Holland."
