Nottingham Forest take on Derby County at the City Ground this afternoon in a game that will do a lot to highlight just how far the Reds have progressed under the new management of Aitor Karanka, whilst it also offers them a chance to throw a spanner in the works of Derby's flailing promotion push.

The Spaniard took some time to settle into his new position at Forest but now he has his feet firmly under the table and his new-look team is currently unbeaten in five Championship fixtures going into today's eagerly anticipated contest with the Rams.

People fond of cliches will tell you that a local derby is 'just another game', indeed Derby boss Gary Rowett said as much in the build up to today's game but he doesn't fool me. The Forest v Derby game runs much deeper than any other fixture on the calendar and it really is a case of win at all costs.

For those of a Forest persuasion it hasn't been a great fixture in recent times. The Reds haven't defeated their rivals since Nelson Oliveira's solitary goal gave them all three points back in November 2015 and quite frankly that is far too long.

Daniel Pinillos netted a last-gasp equaliser against the Rams at the City Ground last season and although the 2-2 draw felt like a win given the time of the point saving goal, it really is a must that Forest can find a way to get back to winning ways in this crucially important fixture.

The psychological impact on going so long without beating your local rivals is massive and the longer it continues the more fired up the Rams will become for these fixtures. Look across the river as a prime example. Notts County haven't defeated Mansfield Town since 2005 and that is purely because each time the two teams face each other, the Stags know that they have County's card marked, they smell blood and pounce on it. Forest don't want to become that club.

Okay, so the Reds have had some good days in recent memory against their old foes. Ben Osborn's late winner at the iPro, Robert Earnshaw wrapping up a 5-2 victory and Jack Hobbs netting his only Forest goal to date the prime examples of Forest coming out as victors, but all too often when the two sides have met the Reds have rolled over and not been interested in the fight.

I fully expect that to change today. You only have to look at the personnel that Karanka will task with earning three points this afternoon, the likes of Ben Watson, Jack Colback and big stopper Costel Pantilimon will relish this afternoon, they will cherish the chance to put a smile on the faces of Nottingham Forest supporters.

Forest might not win the game but I do expect the team to put in a performance worthy of such an important fixture and that isn't something you can say about the team's recent derby-day disasters, where inexperience, fitness and desire have all hindered the Reds in contests against the Rams.

There hasn't been a 0-0 draw in today's fixture since 1906 and on that basis the game promises to be entertaining if nothing else. Both teams would love the chance to lay claim to the Brian Clough Trophy and it all boils down to which team wants it the most.

Football will always divide opinion even among fans of the same club. Which players should play? Who is going to play left-back? Where will the goals come from? Who will be at the forefront of our counter attacks? Today is a day like no other though and personal opinions should be cast aside. Come 2:30 this afternoon there is no 'I', but a 'we' and 'us' and as a collective Nottingham Forest need to make sure that everything is left at the City Ground and hopefully come 4:30, Ben Watson is hoisting the Brian Clough Trophy firmly above his head.

Karanka is a knowledgeable man - a football man - and he knows what this fixture means to Forest supporters, he knows that the fans expect an extra 15% in a game of this nature and I can't wait to see how he sets his side up this afternoon.

For Derby boss Gary Rowett, his team might have won the day back in October and they might have had their fair share of success over Forest in recent times but surely, just surely, they won't be stupid enough to write us off, will they?

Nottingham Forest fans, what are your score predictions for this afternoon? Let us know in the comments below!!!!