The wait is nearly over, the biggest Derby match in the East Midlands is almost upon us. Having both played their final 'warm-up' matches before the big match, the sides had, shall we say 'contrasting' fortunes. Whilst Billy Davies' Forest side went joint top after seeing off QPR in style, brushing aside the Londoners 5-0, Derby County endured what must have seemed like an endless midweek journey to struggling Plymouth. The Pilgrims nicking a tight game 1-0, to leave Rams fans nervously looking over their shoulders. If all the teams below were to win all their games in-hand The Rams would occupy a relegation spot. As unlikely as the scenario is, it just proves how poor a team the 'Pride' Rams are looking.

On the defeat, Manager Nigel Clough, who bagged 102 league goals in 2 seperate spells at Forest between 1984 and 1997, spoke of his team's misfortune: "The fact we lost was completely down to bad luck. If we would have scored a scrappy goal, we would have won." Clough also praised the all-round display, which the Rams apparently dominated for long periods; "I'll take that performance every single week. If we keep on playing like that, I'm sure we'll pick up points in the coming games. It's a strange feeling because it is the best we've played for a while and it's the first defeat on the road since November." Thats an impressive 4 match league sequence the Rams had built up unbeaten away.

Centre-forward Rob Hulse was equally dejected; "I thought we did alright, it just wasn't our night. A point would have been a good result... We tried." On the next fixture Hulse added; "We now have to move on, a local Derby is the perfect opportunity to do so. Hopefully we can give our fans the right result. We have done well against the top teams so far this season. We have good quality in the dressing room to get a good result and pick us up.

The Rams lost 3-2 to Forest earlier this campaign, and against the top 10 in the Championship have failed to register a single win from 11 games, picking up 4 draws and losing 7. Plymouth's success over Derby lifted the Home Park Club to within 3 points off safety and 5 points behind the Rams, having played 2 games fewer.

It won't be long now...