Derby County’s struggles in the Championship continued on Saturday, as they suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat to local rivals Nottingham Forest. The loss further deepens the Rams’ relegation concerns, leaving them in the perilous zone near the bottom of the table.
The match, played at Pride Park, was a tense affair from the outset. Derby County, eager to climb out of the relegation zone, started brightly but were caught off guard by Forest’s rapid counter-attacks. Forest took the lead in the 25th minute when their striker, Brennan Johnson, found space in the box to slot home past Derby goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith. The visitors doubled their advantage early in the second half, as Taiwo Awoniyi capitalized on a defensive error, scoring with a powerful header.
Derby’s hopes were briefly revived when forward James Collins pulled one back in the 68th minute, heading in a well-placed cross from Louie Sibley. However, the Rams’ defensive frailties came to the fore again, as Forest restored their two-goal lead just minutes later, with an emphatic strike from Morgan Gibbs-White.
The defeat marks another blow for manager Paul Warne, whose side has now gone five matches without a win. Derby’s relegation fears are growing, with the club sitting just two points above the relegation zone and with a tough fixture list ahead. Fans are increasingly worried about their team’s ability to survive in the Championship, with many calling for a change in tactics or personnel.
As Derby continues to struggle, it is becoming clear that their survival in the league will require a dramatic turnaround in form. The Rams will need to regroup quickly, as they face a crucial run of fixtures in the coming weeks.