Nottingham Forest claimed more bragging rights over Derby County last night. The Reds’ under-17 ranks defeated the Rams 2-0 in the Premier League Cup to continue their 100 per cent record in the competition.
Kyle McAdam scored with an own goal later on handing Forest a big three points. The win also means Forest are guaranteed a place in the quarter-final of the prestigious competition.
Derby just can’t catch a break against Forest. The senior teams are two divisions apart, whilst the under-23s and under-18s have both defeated their fierce rivals during the 2022/23 campaign.
Furthermore, the women’s team recently defeated Derby too. They claimed a 3-1 win in front of a record crowd for that level of football in a game that took place at the City Ground.
Now it’s the turn of the under-17s to stick the boot into Derby. As the Rams were thrashing Torquay in the FA Cup in front of just over 7,000 supporters, their under-17s were being turned over by Forest.
Forest have a proud history at the academy level. They now have a Category One status and clearly, that is helping the Reds reap the rewards in terms of the players they can attract.
Last night’s win means they can feel safe in the knowledge that they’re through to the quarter-finals. A defeat would have possibly left them sweating over going through as one of the best runners-up from the group stages.
Forest claimed Derby bragging rights and McAdam looks set to star
It’s always amusing to see Derby put to the sword. The Rams still deem it fit to poke fun at Forest despite being confined to the doldrums of League One, whilst Forest battle it out in the Premier League.
In terms of McAdam, Forest look to have a real gem. The 17-year-old has been combining his time with the under-18 and under-23 ranks and he looks like developing into a really useful player.
The beauty of McAdam is the versatility he possesses. Already this season he’s played as a right-back, centre-back and as a central midfielder for the under-18 ranks.
McAdam looks to have a mature head on young shoulders. With the right coaching and as long as he continues to stay grounded, Forest look to have a player in their ranks who could make a first-team impact in the future.