Derby County boss Phillip Cocu has told Derbyshire Live that he won’t be making as many changes to his team as he did when Nottingham Forest thrashed his side in the Carabao Cup back in August.
The Rams incumbent got his team selection badly wrong when the two teams met earlier in the season. Both teams made changes but Cocu used the game to have a look at several younger players emerging from the academy ranks.
Forest destroyed Derby 3-0 and Cocu was left to rue his decision. He doesn’t believe the same team will play this weekend, offering a cheeky smile and response when quizzed.
He told Derbyshire Live: “I don’t think the same team will play!
“It is a tough and important away game. Of course, the ambition for us to get a result against Forest and also in an away game is very important for us.”
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The good news for Derby fans is that Cocu is planning on playing a much strong team than the one that was embarrassed back in August. The bad news is that so are Forest.
Changes
Lewis Grabban was an unused substitute that night and will return hoping to add to his six goals this season. Joao Carvalho was on the bench that night and could start on Saturday. Ben Watson has been arguably Forest’s best player this season and he too should play this weekend.
Whoever plays on Saturday, it won’t change the derby-day mentality of winning at all costs. Often cagey affairs, the form book will fly out of the window and whoever plays the occasion the best will probably prevail.
It won’t come as any surprise to Forest boss Lamouchi that his counterpart is planning a different approach on Saturday and he will be ready for whatever Derby team arrives on Trentside.
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