Barry Roche

Roche's big first team break came during the 2003/04 season when Darren Ward suffered serious injury. He had waited on the bench for four years, but unfortunately for him things didn't go too well.

One incident that will stick in the mind of the fans came at Pride Park when, as Roche rushed out to clear, the ball bounced off an empty coffee cup that had blown onto the pitch. Roche mis-hit his kick and sent the ball straight to Derby striker Paul Peschisolido, who was left with an easy goal.

Ironically, despite the 4-2 scoreline to the Reds local rivals in that game, this was one of Roche's better performances during his six-game stint between the sticks, coffee cups aside. In the others, he had fans nervously biting their nails as he dropped crosses and shots repeatedly,

Shortly after the Derby game, Roche was replaced by Paul Gerrard who Joe Kinnear signed on loan from Everton. With Gerrard now transferred permanently and Ward regaining fitness, it is hard to see what part Roche can play in Forest's future. Despite this, he was offered a new contract in the summer of 2004. 

This after a start which showed a lot of promise. Called upon to replace Dave Beasant after he was sent off at Crystal Palace in the 2000/01 season, his first job was to face a penalty, and he pulled off an amazing save to win the game for Forest. He then kept a clean sheet when Beasant served his suspension at Sheffield Wednesday. But if he ever wants to live the 'coffee cup incident' down, Roche must work on his confidence.

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