'A win over Derby is a win over Derby' - Matty Cash hopes scoring winning goal at Pride Park will edge him closer to first team return
'I have to be patient; I have to wait for my chance', says Reds youngster
Nottingham Forest's Matty Cash celebrates making it 2-1 against Derby (Image: Dan Westwell)
Matty Cash hopes scoring in a win over Derby has edged him closer to a first team return – but admits he might still have to be patient with Mark Warburton's Nottingham Forest in good Championship form.
Cash and fellow midfielder Zach Clough both found the back of the net to help steer Forest to a 2-1 win over the Rams at Pride Park, in a Premier League Cup under-23 fixture.
Cash's goal came early in the second half, following some good work from Clough – who had previously drawn Forest level in the first half, following a goal from Charles Vernam for the home side.
"A win over Derby is a win over Derby – it is always nice to beat them in any game," said Cash, who had missed the start of the campaign with an ankle injury suffered in pre-season, but has been back in full training for more than a month.
Nottingham Forest's Zach Clough fires in to make it 1-1 (Image: Dan Westwell)
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"The most important thing was to get some minutes in my legs. I feel good, it was nice to be part of a good team performance and a good win.
Nottingham Forest's Matty Cash celebrates making it 2-1 with Anel Ahmedhodzic (Image: Dan Westwell)
"I have to be patient; I have to wait for my chance. The gaffer picks the team and the squad and we all go by what he says. I am doing things the right way, I just need to train hard and when my chance comes – like tonight – to impress, I have to work hard to take that chance.
Nottingham Forest's Matty Cash celebrates making it 2-1 with Elvis Otim (Image: Dan Westwell)
"I just need to get fitter and stronger, I need to keep working hard and be ready to take my chance when it comes."
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Cash says the example set by Tyler Walker is the one to follow, with the forward having been rewarded for his efforts on the training ground with his first Championship start of the season last weekend – which was followed by two goals in a 4-0 win over QPR.
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton and his assistant David Weir look on at Pride Park (Image: Dan Westwell)
"I was so happy for Tyler when he scored the other day, because he has waited for his opportunity. I have seen him come up through the youth team and he is a fantastic player," said Cash.
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Nottingham Forest's Matty Cash celebrates making it 2-1 with Matt Mills (Image: Dan Westwell)
"It is nice to see him get his chance. He scored two goals and took his chance to impress when it came. It is always nice to see that."
And Cash was happy to find the back of the net himself, on a night when Gary Brazil's side performed impressively.
"It was nice to get a goal as well, as I get back into things. That was my second of the season for the under-23 side. I got my last one at the City Ground the other week. So to score at Derby as well was a nice bonus," he said.