Here it is – the big one. You can stick your Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. The Premier League means nothing – “Cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!”

This will be the first competitive game between us and Forest since 2005. Since then the fortunes of both teams have been somewhat mixed. We went up to the Premier league to become a national laughing stock while Forest became the first European Cup winning team tend up in the third flight of their national league.

Forest have finally made it back to the Championship – though they’re finding life difficult. Tuesday’s excellent victory over Crystal Palace lifted them off the bottom and it show’s Forest are improving – only four games ago, the reverse fixture at the City ground saw them beaten 2-0.

Under fire boss, Colin Calderwood thinks the table is wrong and that the team are performing well. After the Place game he said; “A win on the back of a good performance is a nice reward. It was no better a performance than I've seen in five or six other games but we got a goal in a decent period and at 1-1 had the best opportunities. We have not had one game this season where we have looked like a side that might go down.”

This should be a game where both sets of fans see who can boo ex-players among the opposition. Many Forest fans were furious at Kris Commons for leaving them for Derby and waste no time in telling everyone about it. Many Forest fans predict that Commons will invent an injury to avoid playing in the game because of their ire.

I would expect no such qualms from Rob Earnshaw. For one reason or another, he simply didn’t work for Derby and neither manager during his time fancied him on the pitch despite the lack of options. Earnshaw will be booed however because for some reason, the fans seem to think it was his fault. Now he’s the Tree’s top scorer the fans, there will be no convincing the boo boys that Earnshaw isn’t a villain.

One other ‘villain’ in the Forest ‘Camp’ will be Lee Camp. Lee is a Derby lad through and through so it will be weird for him to be turning out for the enemy. I imagine he will get the boo treatment along with Earnshaw.

At the time of writing, Forest have no reported injuries though whether Andrew Cole will turn out for Forest again is anyone’s guess. Reports that he’s left the club are being dismissed by Calderwood; “The fact that we've got people returning is making it difficult for him to get in the team.”

 Forest statistics  

Paul Jewell has plans. After the Norwich game – possibly our best display since Wembley - he said; "We are making strides, but there is a lot more to come from the players. I've got a three-year contract and I want us to get better each year."

 Jewell was pleased with the performance on the pitch; “For an hour we played as well as we have all season. At 2-0 we were in control and in the end it could have been four or five. But they goal a goal back and it was tense for a while.” 

That was the view from the stand as well. Many were pleased to see Martin Albrechtsen’s calm head back in defence in the absence of Dean Leacock. Albrechtsen had recovered from injury far faster than expected and was a surprise inclusion in the eleven.

With Leroy Lita on the pitch, the Rams needed a cool head and Lita was reduced to a couple of speculative shots. Once the third goal went in, the Rams looked to be in control.

This is a much better Derby team than the opening few games and a sense of cautious optimism is returning to Pride Park. A good result against Forest would really raise the rafters but everyone knows one swallow doesn’t make a spring.

Several players from last year are still on the books and one of them, Gary Teale, played on Tuesday. It's fair to say Teale has not done well in a Rams shirt. Poor control, lack of effort and inability to beat a man has meant his contribution has been peripheral at best.

Against Norwich he did okay in the first half and faded somewhat in the second. Backing off attacking players during our nervous phase got some of the crowd on his back and there was a cheer when he was substituted. I thought that was harsh. Okay his time with the Rams has not been a success but if we can help restore the player’s confidence by applauding the good and sitting on our hands for the bad, we might get a better or at least saleable player.

Mick’s Team:  Bywater, Connolly, Nyatanga, Albrechtsen, Stewart, Kazmierczak, Addison, Green, Commons, Hulse, Ellington.

What the Bookies think 

 The Rams are favourites at 4/5 on while Forest are at 3/1. The draw is 21/10.  Rob Hulse is a 13/8 anytime scorer while Kris Commons is at 3/1. Rob Earnshaw is at 14/5.

Information for travelling fans 

Driving: Take Brian Clough Way (the A52) towards Derby follow the signs for Pride Park and you will see the stadium on your right.  Follow signs for away supporter parking or stay on the A52 to Pentagon Island. You know where it is. 

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes walk from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at the shopping centre on Pride Park unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative is to park at Pentagon Island. Take the exit for the cattle market and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

Drinking: Given the early start and the nature of the game, most of the pubs will be shut.  It’s probably not a wise idea for Forest fans to be drinking on match days in Derby anyway.

Mick’s prediction 

It’s a local Derby and the form book can go out of the window. Some Forest watchers have commented that their league position is false on the football they play. With Ex-players in both teams expect a charged atmosphere and potential mistakes. 

Come on the Rams!

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls