Jason Cummings hasn’t started three Championship games in a row yet for Forest but has he done enough to feature against Derby County?
Mark Warburton and Gary Rowett were both appointed within hours of each other on the 14th March earlier this year. They faced off against each other in the East Midlands derby just a few days later, making their managerial bows in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
And the similarities don’t end there. Derby welcome Nottingham Forest to Pride Park on Sunday afternoon with the pressure building on either boss after a disappointing run of results.
After a bright start to the season, Forest have now lost more games than they’ve won this term and sit 13th while Derby are two places and two points below them. Though it’s arguably Warburton who goes into a huge clash at the weekend under more pressure from his club’s supporters.
But there’s one Forest player who stands out as a candidate to ease the scrutiny towards his manager on Sunday.
Jason Cummings continues to divide supporters following his summer move from Hibernian but, in only his third Championship start, enjoyed his most impressive outing yet against Sheffield United prior to the international break.
He cancelled out John Lundstram’s opener in the ninth minute to set Forest on their way to an eye-catching 2-1 win against the high-flying Blades – ending a run of three consecutive defeats to boot.
Cummings’ confidence should be sky high heading to Pride Park, then, and Warburton should consider handing him three successive starts in the league for the first time.
The prospect of coming up against Derby’s ageing central defence should have the speedy Scot licking his lips in anticipation. He’ll be hoping he’s done enough, then, to finally earn Warburton’s trust.
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