Those were the words of the legendary Brian Clough ahead of a Zenith Data Systems Cup-tie between City and Nottingham Forest back in 1992, just before he booted me in the shin… More on that later.

I can’t wait for the Forest game on Saturday. The East Midlands derby is massive anyway, but with both sides firmly in the promotion picture, it’s more important than ever.

After the 5-1 embarrassment at their place in December, we owe them big time. I’m sure the players will be on a revenge mission. I was at the City Ground that day, amongst the City fans. It was not easy to sit there and take that medicine.

It was great to get the Blue Army’s perspective of travelling to a game, the excitement of the build up and being part of a cracking atmosphere, and I was really enjoying it until the game kicked off.

Seeing the lads go 3-0 down so quickly was horrible. I left at half-time as I couldn’t bear to see City outplayed like that by one of our rivals. That defeat still hurts and it will definitely still hurt the players.

It’s big games like these that you’re in football for and it would be great to beat Forest and close that points gap tomorrow. Victory would see the margin cut to seven and an automatic promotion spot become a possibility. But, we’re fifth at the moment and I’d take that at the end of the season.

The Plymouth result was a good point gained on a terrible pitch and following it up with a win at Doncaster on Tuesday night made it an even better result. The defence has been really solid in the last three away games and Chris Weale in goal has pulled off some top class saves.

It was a fantastic win at Doncaster. Waggy took his goal well, showing strength and composure, and he’s really stepped up to the plate since Matty Fryatt’s injury.

The same back five of Weale, Morrison, Berner, Brown and Hobbs have started the last seven games and it’s no coincidence that City have remained unbeaten during that period, only conceding four goals. It’s been a great month so far, picking up 12 points and moving up the table. Speaking of defenders, I’m looking forward to reading an interview with City’s centre back colossus Wayne Brown in the next issue of Soar Magazine, which is out soon.

I was saddened by the death of former City captain Bobby Smith this week. Paul Ramsey, who was great mates with Bobby, text me to tell me that he’d passed away.

I knew Bobby had been diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and planned to go up and see him, but sadly, I’ll never get that chance now. I really thought he had a few years left. It’s such a tragic loss and my thoughts are with his family. Me, Paul and Birch will be paying our respects at his funeral.

Bobby was at the club when I first signed and he was a good little player, either at left-back or in midfield, and a great character. He was a really nice fella who enjoyed a good night out and his favourite tipple of gin. There will be a minute’s silence before Saturday’s game and rightly so. I just hope it’s respected by the Forest fans.

I’m sure it’s going to be a cracking atmosphere at fortress Walkers, which is well on course for a sell out. Forest have sold their entire away allocation and I know there are very few home tickets left. The hospitality boxes, including my 125 lounge, are going to be absolutely packed too.

The all-time record between the two teams couldn’t be any tighter, tied at 36 wins each in all competitions, with 21 draws. We’ve got the edge in the league though, beating them 35 times to 34. There’s nothing quite like beating Forest and Derby and it would be great to extend that lead today.

The 0-0 home draw with The Rams earlier in the season was disappointing, but I think Saturday’s game will live up to the hype, as Forest have plenty to play for and are unlikely to come and defend.

My last home game against Forest was back in 1998 when we beat them 3-1 at Filbo. It was the season they got relegated from the Premier League and they weren’t the best. They had plenty of attitude up front with rent-a-gobs, Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Marlon Harewood.

Van Hooijdonk scored early on and him and Harewood were giving us plenty of lip. I was giving plenty back and then Van Hooijdonk started piping up and eventually got himself sent-off. We ended up winning 3-1 as the Dutchman cried into his early bath and Harewood continued to throw his toys out of his pram!

Another vivid memory of playing Forest at home is the 1-1 draw in the Zenith Data Systems Cup Semi Final in 1992. Before the game I went into the referee’s room with John Gregory to hand in the team sheet.

Brian Clough was there with Stuart Pearce and walked right up to me and said, “I hear you don’t like being kicked, young man?”

I replied with, “I don’t mind being kicked.” Next thing I know, Old Big ‘Ead boots me as hard as he can in the shins. “You didn’t like that did you?” he shouted.

So I got right in his face and said, “Brian, I like being kicked.” He kicked me again before storming out, followed by Pearce who just looked at me gone out. That was typical of Cloughie, always trying to get inside your head, especially before the big games.

Colin Gordon scored with a late header to level the scores that night and afterwards I remember hearing Pearce and Clough talking in the bar. It was a Tuesday night and Psycho was asking when they needed to be back in training and Cloughie just said, “I’ll see you on Friday.”

Pearce was shocked as they had a game on the Saturday and again looked at me in disbelief. Brian Clough was a one off, but I’m pretty sure he’d been on the sauce that night!

Tater Peeler got his first win as Bradford manager the other night as they beat top of the table Rochdale. He tends to start well at clubs before the wheels fall off completely, as we know to our cost. I’m sure he’s still got that second relegation place firmly in his sights.

I was amazed to hear that Tater was recently approached by the Nigerian FA to be the manager of their national side, but turned it down. I can’t believe he didn’t back himself for that job. He’s got a great track record of identifying Nigerian talent… remember the prolific Ade Akinbiyi?

Get in there! The Walsh man’s wager came in last week as my treble tip of Chelsea, Stoke and Swansea was spot on, meaning £263 for Wishes4Kids! This week I’m backing Burnley, Coventry, Swansea and Huddersfield. Fitzy from Turner & Kendrick will again be donating a £25 bet for Wishes4Kids.

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