Zach Clough says Forest’s fierce rivals Derby County are giving him extra motivation to secure his side’s Championship status.
Zach Clough moved to Nottingham Forest from Bolton Wanderers in January
Clough arrived at the City Ground from Bolton Wanderers on transfer deadline in January in a deal worth up to £3 million (Nottingham Post).
The 21-year-old has scored four goals for the Reds, one of which came in the East Midlands Derby last month.
He has already experienced the heartbreak of relegation after being part of the Bolton side relegated from the Championship last campaign.
Clough will understandably be keen to avoid going back to playing in League One where he began the season, but it is not just the prospect of playing in England’s third tier that is fuelling the forward’s determination. He admitted that being a thorn in Derby’s side is adding extra determination.
“That is definitely a motivation. Are there any local derbies in League One? Actually, I don’t want to know, let’s not speak about that,” Clough told the Nottingham Post.
“That experience against Derby was incredible and I am confident I will experience that again. I believe we will.”
Zach Clough will be keen to avoid experiencing another relegation
With three games left, Forest find themselves one point above the drop zone and relegation has now become a distinct possibility.
The Reds have been unable to steer themselves clear of a relegation scrap since the arrival of Mark Warburton. Clough insists the team remain confident that they secure their Championship status for next season.
“It would be a test of my character if we went down, but I don’t think we will. If we can keep working hard, I don’t believe we will,” he said.
“We are all together, we are all on the same page, we all know what we need to do to stay up.”
Nottingham Forest scored a last gasp equaliser in their last game against Derby
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