3/1 To Win
Derby County haven’t lost an East Midlands derby since 2015, but over half a decade has passed since their last victory against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
On that day in September 2012, Craig Bryson grabbed the winner early in the second half but ultimately both clubs would end the season in mid-table.
So, what happened next for the team that Nigel Clough sent out onto enemy territory? We took a stroll down memory lane to find out….
Goalkeeper: Frank Fielding
The clean sheet in the derby was the first of the season for the ‘keeper that came through the youth academy at Blackburn Rovers.
Unfortunately for Fielding, he couldn’t kick on from that point and he soon lost his starting spot to Adam Legzdins, before he was pushed further down the pecking order when Derby re-signed Lee Grant in the summer of 2013.
He joined then-League One side Bristol City, and he’s made at least 150 appearances since as the club look to challenge for a second-tier play-off position this season.
Right-back: John Brayford
Brayford departed Pride Park Stadium at the end of the season to join newly-promoted Cardiff City, but it didn’t quite go to plan for Derby’s 2011 Player of the Year.
He failed to make a single Premier League appearance and he was subsequently loaned out to Sheffield United halfway through the campaign – the club he later joined permanently.
A move to Burton Albion followed and he is now enjoying his fourth spell under the management of Clough.
Centre-back: Richard Keogh
Keogh was heavily involved in this fixture, with Dexter Blackstock receiving a red card following a clash with the defender just after half-time.
The skipper was only two months into his Derby career when they won at the City Ground, and he was an ever-present figure as the Rams finished 10th in the Championship.
He also played every league game during the 2015/16 season, and he’s on course to achieve the feat for a third time, having played all 36 games prior to the trip to Nottingham this term.
Centre-back: Jake Buxton
A firm fan favourite, “Bucko” remained with the Rams until 2016, and he was a key member of the side that reached the play-off final at the end of the 2013/14 season.
He already had history with Forest having scored an added time winner against them the previous campaign.
He moved to Wigan Athletic but he is now back in the East Midlands, alongside Brayford and Clough at the Pirelli Stadium.
Left-back: Gareth Roberts
The Welshman arrived in Derby off the back of lengthy spells with Tranmere Rovers and Doncaster Rovers respectively.
He went on to play over 100 times for the Rams, before he left at the end of the 2012/13 season to join Bury.
Currently, Roberts is with Skelmersdale United, with the Lancashire side currently competing at the eighth level of English football.
Right-midfield: Paul Coutts
Like Fielding, Coutts is right in the play-off mix with his current club, but his season with Sheffield United was curtailed after he suffered a broken leg away at Burton back in November.
The Blades’ form dipped dramatically after Coutts was ruled out, with Chris Wilder’s side sitting in second place after the trip to the Pirelli Stadium, but they are now down to ninth as the race for the play-off spots hots up.
Centre-midfield: Jeff Hendrick
The star graduate from Derby’s academy in recent years, Hendrick remained a key member of the side until his selection for Euro 2016 with the Republic of Ireland.
In France, the midfielder showcased his quality and persuaded Burnley to make him their most expensive signing, although he has since been surpassed by Robbie Brady and Chris Wood.
Hendrick is a regular in the centre of the park for Sean Dyche as Burnley look to secure their highest ever Premier League finish.
Centre-midfield: Craig Bryson
Another favourite, Bryson scored the winner on this day but he came into his own during the 2013/14 season, when he scored an unforgettable, record-breaking hat-trick against Forest.
In all, he scored 16 goals that season, and earlier this campaign, he received a rapturous reception when he was seen in the stands during the East Midlands derby at Pride Park, when Gary Rowett’s side won 2-0.
He has spent this season on-loan at Cardiff City, and he is now back in the side having recently returned from injury.
Left-midfield: Will Hughes
Like Hendrick, Hughes came through the academy to establish himself and although a cruciate ligament injury slowed his progress in 2015, he returned later in the campaign and made a decisive contribution against the rivals the following season.
He grabbed the final goal in the 3-0 win at Pride Park in December 2016, but it proved to be his final season with the Rams, as he joined Watford in the summer.
At Vicarage Road, he’s made a considerable impression given his rare opportunities, with two goals and two assists in just six Premier League appearances.
Striker: Jamie Ward
Ward enjoyed his best goalscoring season in 2012/13 with 12 in all competitions for the Rams and he remained at the club until 2015, when he crossed the divide to sign a four-year deal with Forest.
After a loan move to Burton Albion last season, he is now teammates with Bryson after making the temporary switch to Cardiff in January.
Striker: Conor Sammon
The forward was a regular throughout his first two seasons in the East Midlands but he couldn’t recapture the form that persuaded Wigan to bring him to the Premier League in 2010.
After slipping down the pecking order, he went on loan to Ipswich Town, Rotherham United and then Sheffield United, before making the permanent switch back to Scotland with Hearts.
Currently, he’s on the books of Partick Thistle after joining on a season-long loan deal from the Jam Tarts.
Nottingham Forest: Camp, Collins, Ayala, Halford, Cohen, Harding, Gillett, McGugan, Reid, Blackstock, Cox.
