Patrick Bamford pays respects to late godfather after netting on Derby debut
PATRICK BAMFORD paid an emotional tribute to late Nottingham Forest chairman Nigel Doughty after a dream home debut for Derby.
“It was a sad loss when we lost him, that was just me saying thank you.
“We were very close. He lived down in London and I lived in Nottingham but in the holidays we always just spent time together.”
Bamford
left the City Ground shortly after Doughty had departed as chairman two
years ago after Chelsea gave him an offer he could not refuse.
He
starred on loan at MK Dons earlier in the season with Championship
clubs coming flocking to capture him for the second half of the
campaign. But those sides did not include Forest.
“I’m loving it here so far and the players have made it easy for me to settle in.
“Steve
McClaren made it clear he wanted me, he spoke to me in mid-December and
asked me to come. Hopefully I can repay him with some goals.
“I know what
Steve is about, the way he played and the way he trained and what his
coaching was like. It was always my preferred option.
“The main aim is to try and get Derby promoted. But it has to be a stepping stone to get into the Chelsea first team.”
This
was a disappointing affair but super sub Bamford eventually gave the
game its only good moment when he powered in from the edge of the area
14 minutes from time.
Without Liam Bridcutt who is set to leave
the Amex Stadium after several bids were rejected from Sunderland,
Brighton looked lifeless.
Now boss Oscar Garcia will target new signings.
He said: “We are looking to strengthen the squad. The club is working on a list of targets."
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