Capital One Cup: Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce eyes win at Tottenham
Wednesday 24 September 2014 19:11, UK
Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce has said that he is determined to lead his side to victory over Tottenham Hotspur in honour of Brian Clough.
Forest will take on former cup rivals Spurs in the third round of the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night.
Fans of the Championship club are expected to turn up in green for the match to honour Clough, and although Pearce is not going to wear the famous sweatshirt, he is keen on picking up a win in North London.
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"I'm not sure the green jumper will go with the grey suit I'm thinking of wearing," the 52-year-old told the Daily Express.
"It's probably something for the fans. We are fantastically proud of Brian Clough. But I now want history going forward and I think Cloughie himself would say, 'Get rid of all that rubbish and win a football match'.
"Pride in the shirt is everything. If you have that affinity and professional pride to be the best, it gives them every opportunity."
We were desperate to win a trophy, something the great European Cup side never did. We did not do that so there was no glory. It hurt very badly.
Clough was in charge of Forest when they faced Spurs in the 1991 FA Cup final at Wembley. Pearce gave the Reds a 16th-minute lead from a free-kick - awarded after Paul Gascoigne injured himself scything down Gary Charles - but Paul Stewart equalised in the second half, and a Des Walker own goal in extra-time settled the affair in the north London club's favour.
Pearce recalled: "It was a fantastic day for the football club to get to Wembley in a cup final, with Brian Clough not doing that before.
"We were desperate to win a trophy, something the great European Cup side never did. We did not do that so there was no glory. It hurt very badly.
"But it does not hurt any more, it's long gone. I've shoeboxed my playing career. It's a disappointment but losing two semi-finals to Liverpool probably hurt more.
"My goal gave our football club the platform to win a match. It was pleasing to score - my 16th of the season, which was a nice achievement as a left-back."
