Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has cranked up the East Midlands rivalry ahead of Nottingham Forest’s trip to Pride Park on Saturday.
The Reds are “under real pressure” to claim three points against the Rams, according to Rooney, after a dismal start to the campaign.
Chris Hughton’s side have lost each of their four Championship fixtures so far and are propping up the table as they prepare to face their bitter enemies.
But although Derby last beat Forest in October 2017, their manager says the heat will be on the visitors for the lunchtime clash.
"I think the pressure is on Forest, the pressure is on them to get a win,” Rooney told DerbyshireLive.
“They have got no points from the start of the season, I think they are under real pressure to win on Saturday.
"So, from our point of view, we will be ready for that and we are confident and ready to go and get three points Saturday.
"We are going to try to take the game to them. We want to win the game and if we do, then I think we can say that we have had a great start to the season."
He added: "We know Championship football is crazy at times and we know Forest will come and be resilient and hard to beat, and try to hit us on the break, get bodies behind the ball and try to frustrate us.
"It is our job to make sure we are patient and comfortable in possession, and create chances, because the one thing which I don't think will happen, I don't think Forest will come and press us."
The Reds’ wretched run of results has left Hughton under severe scrutiny, with plenty of criticism being aimed in his direction from irate fans in recent games.
"Chris Hughton is a fantastic manager," Rooney said.
"At some point throughout the season you go through a bad run of games, that happens in the Championship. Unfortunately from Chris' point of view he has started the season with no points, so I am sure he will be doing everything he can to make sure they get a win on Saturday.
"It is normal the pressure is there, we are all under pressure to perform, to get results.
"We just have to focus on ourselves and try to make him go five games without a point, because I'll be pleased and obviously I wish Chris the best after that."
