Derby supporters felt Wayne Rooney was trying to rattle Nottingham Forest in the build up to last Friday’s East Midlands derby.
The Rams boss had been conducting media duties in the build-up to the 1-1 draw at Pride Park and mentioned ‘Notts Forest’.
It is an error that has been known to irk the City Ground faithful – whilst delighting their counterparts up the A52.
It’s also something Jonathan Oakes, the presenter of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast picked up on.
Oakes pointed out: “Wayne Rooney keeps referring to ‘Notts Forest’ in interviews, which is enraging Forest fans. That’s not an accident is it? He knows what he’s doing there.”
But commentator, and podcast panellist Gary Weaver denied it and offered this explanation: “I saw him say it a couple of times and obviously I am from the same city as Wayne and as kids we used to say ‘Notts Forest’. I don’t know why but as kids we used to.
“Trust me he is not saying it on purpose because for whatever reason, as a child I remember calling them Notts Forest myself – then I realised you don’t call them Notts Forest.
“I don’t think he is doing it on purpose. I thought this the other night, I know people when I was at school – for some reason we called them Notts Forest, I don’t know why.
“To defend Wayne, I don’t think he has done it on purpose.”
