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Forest manager
Stuart Pearce |
Nottingham Forest Manager Stuart Pearce plays down significance of Derby win, but would welcome another as Nottingham Forest head to Fulham
Sat behind a desk, with a perfectly straight face, you almost believe Stuart Pearce. Almost.
But then you cast your mind back to his exuberant celebrations at the iPro and it becomes harder to entirely accept his point of view.
"It was just another victory as a manager," says Pearce, when asked how he looks back on the events of a dramatic afternoon in Derbyshire.
"We might look back, at the end of the season, and say whether it was a catalyst for moving us up the league.
"But, for now, it is just another three points."
Pearce does not contest the significance of claiming a victory, following eight games without one, even if he might play down the significance of who it was against.
And, as he prepares his side for a trip to Craven Cottage – a ground they have not played at since 2001 – Pearce does admit that the mood is upbeat.
"It gives any club a lift, just getting three points. We are no different," he says. "You bump into people around the city, they come and talk to you more readily, just because of the result. It gave the whole of Nottingham a lift. Our supporters enjoyed a smashing day there.
"From a football point of view, it was three points, that is all. We have to build on that, it is absolutely crucial. That is what counts now."
Forest face a different challenge tonight, in the form of a Fulham side who have been revived by the appointment of Kit Symons as manager.
Pearce is hoping for a less nerve jangling encounter than the at the City Ground earlier in the season, where Forest led 2-0, before then having to fight back from 3-2 behind to claim a 5-3 win.
"I would rather take a 1-0," says Pearce. "Kit knows English football and he knows the young players very well. It is no surprise that they have pulled away from the relegation zone and I'd not write them off for a top six finish."
Pearce would welcome another win – whether it is just another three points or not.