Source: Team_Talk
Clough refuses to get carried away
The last time Clough frequented the City Ground was as manager of Burton Albion to take in a Nottingham Forest reserve-team game - but his return as Derby boss on Wednesday night could not be further removed.[LNB]Clough was a casual observer in a crowd of 166 spectators who watched a goalless draw against Sheffield United's second-string on November 12.[LNB]On Wednesday night, 30,000-plus people will create a cauldron of noise as East Midlands rivals Forest and Derby do battle in an FA Cup fourth-round replay for the right to host Manchester United in the last 16 of the competition.[LNB]The tie, after their 1-1 draw at Pride Park 12 days ago, possesses all the sub-plots of a soap opera.[LNB]As if the traditional rivalry between two clubs was not enough already, the stretch of A52 that separates the sides - renamed the Brian Clough Way in 2005 - has seen its fair share of two-way traffic over the years.[LNB]The legendary Brian Clough managed both clubs during his career and his son is now the Rams' manager despite having first supported, and then played for Forest.[LNB]Billy Davies, the Forest manager, was until November 2007 the boss at Derby, and he still lives in a hotel in the city while he attempts to find a house in Nottingham.[LNB]Unfortunately the Scot was not in the dugout for the initial meeting at Pride Park, instead attending to important family matters in Glasgow.[LNB]Then there is Kris Commons, the Derby winger who formerly played at Forest, and Robert Earnshaw, the ex-Derby striker who now plies his trade with the Reds and who scored in the first game.[LNB]Davies did his best to stir the pot ahead of the game at Pride Park with a scathing assessment of his former chairman Adam Pearson, while Clough himself raised eyebrows on his appointment at Derby almost a month ago by revealing that it was the only club for which he would have considered leaving Blue Square Premier club Burton.[LNB]However, Clough insists history should count for little and that the only motivation for both teams to beat their fierce rivals should be the prize that awaits them in round five.[LNB]"I don't think we need to add any of that stuff into the mix. Everyone knows how big a game it is and I think the fact that it is the FA Cup, under lights and with Manchester United waiting in the next round is sufficient enough incentive to get through," said Clough.[LNB]"Of course, the fans and the media like to talk about it but we won't concern ourselves with all that. The truth is I don't think this game is as important as Plymouth away in the league on Saturday.[LNB]"Staying out of the bottom three in the Championship is our priority this season, but nevertheless it is still very important that we put on a good performance and try to get through to the next round.[LNB]"It will be very different to the last time I was at the City Ground for a match. It was a full house at Pride Park and I am sure it will be the same at the City Ground.[LNB]"The atmosphere was terrific in the first game and it will be the same again on Wednesday night."[LNB]Forest received a boost ahead of the game as midfielder, and captain of late, James Perch penned a new contract to keep him at the City Ground until the summer of 2011.[LNB][LNB] Nottm. Forest 6/5[LNB], Draw 9/4[LNB], Derby 12/5[LNB]
