There’s just one thing on Sabri Lamouchi’s birthday list this weekend, as the Nottingham Forest head coach prepares to celebrate his special occasion.
Lamouchi will be 48 on Saturday and desperately hopes he can celebrate that night with three points over Derby County which would keep his side in the thick of the Championship’s promotion race, ensuring the Brian Clough Trophy remains in the cabinet and Forest's fans head home jubiliant.
Again.
Nothing other than a victory against the Rams in the sell-out lunchtime battle on Trentside will be enough for Lamouchi, who is only too aware of the importance placed up this particular rivalry and adding to the Rams' recent woes.
“It’s just one more year. I will be happy with only the three points,” he told Nottinghamshire Live.
“A very good gift, not just for me, for our players and for our fans.”
If anybody doubted the importance of East Midlands bragging rights to Lamouchi earlier in the season, the 3-0 drubbing over the Rams in August’s Carabao Cup clash made it clear what how seriously he and his players take it.
Despite a flurry of changes from both sides, it was Lamouchi who gained the upper hand over Phillip Cocu, with the Rams chief clearly underestimating just how important the game is to so many, and what it can do for momentum.
While that result still lives long in the memory, and has certainly left its mark on both ends of the Brian Clough Way, the Forest boss doesn’t believe it will carry much weight come 12:30pm on Saturday lunchtime.
“It was totally different; it was a cup game with a different context,” he said.
“Against Derby it is always the same situation; just one way – win.
“It will be the same for their manager and players and we will try our best to take the three points on Saturday.”
With the League Cup now a distant memory, the attention this weekend is on three points which would see Forest firmly entrenched in the Championship’s top six going into the final international break of the year, and Lamouchi’s message is clear.
There's no need for motivational speeches.
“Our players want what the fans want - the victory.
"At the end, we want to make them happy and proud of us, the result and the way we played.
“I do not need to fire up the players.
“They know absolutely how important the game is for the fans. Our players want what the fans want - the victory.
“At the end, we want to make them happy and proud of us, the result and the way we played."
Derby’s away form has been a source of much frustration for those of a black and white persuasion, having won just once on the road, though at Pride Park form has been good.
Tom Lawrence’s double-act saw off Middlesbrough on Saturday – a fourth straight home win, and that Lamouchi says, will mean Cocu’s Rams arrive on Trentside in confident mood and should not be underestimated.
“They have a good team and the way they play is good.
"They won their last game at home, they have confidence so we just want to focus on the game.
"The small details will be important so we are just looking at the victory, it is an exciting game and a challenge for us.”
While there will be an electric, raucous atmosphere in the atmospheric stands at Forest’s famous old home, those given the honour of wearing the Garibalidi red must focus on the job in hand, one which will be a real test of their own promotion credentials, Lamouchi believes.
“It is an exciting game for everyone," he enthused.
"It is a good challenge at home and we will play for the victory, we just need to focus on the game.
“It will be an emotional game, a tough game, a tactical game against a very difficult opponent.
“Not just because of the rivalry but because both teams are similar.
"We need to be ready, we are ready so we now need to enjoy it and to give our best for the best result.”
