Dougie Freedman says he is embracing Brian Clough's example at Nottingham Forest

Dougie Freedman says he is embracing Brian Clough's example at Nottingham Forest and is using it to shape the club's future as they prepare to face Watford in the FA Cup this weekend.

Clough spent 18 years in charge at the City Ground, winning 12 titles with the club including two European Cup wins - or the modern day Champions League. 

Speaking to Soccer Saturday, current Forest boss Freedman says he embraces the example set by the charismatic manager and the club's rich history to move the club forward.

"I embrace it. I'm not one for always looking back and looking at results of days gone by, but I do embrace it and try to learn from it.

"Alluding to Mr Clough, who many years ago set the bar and the standards very high, and I try to lead off on that.

"We're always looking to move forward and embrace what happened in the past to this football club, try to learn from it and move on from it.

"When we talk about the current group of players, and the youngsters we've got in the team - like Ben Osborn and Oliver Burke - what can we do in the future next excites me just as much as looking back."

Forest feature in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday and face a familiar opponent in Watford, who they played last season in the Championship.

"They're a very good side. They've recruited very well over the last four or five years and they have a model there that seems to be working for them," added Freedman.

"Although there's been a lot of change personnel and player wise, I think model with what they do is very good and I'm sure other teams will try and copy it.

"But I've got 11 vs 11, Saturday afternoon in the FA Cup at 3pm and anything can happen and hopefully we can produce a winning performance."

In terms of their league form, Nottingham Forest are still in the mix for a play-off place after a difficult time last season, and sit seven points from sixth spot.

But Freedman believes a run in the FA Cup could be good for the club and is positive about this weekend's clash.

"It fits in nicely. It's a very good attraction. We feel the FA Cup is full of clubs with great history and it's something as a young kid growing up in Scotland, I didn't see an awful lot of it. You'd see the final so it does bring a kind of glamourous side to the game in terms of what you can achieve.

"We are going to go into the game very strongly. We feel it's a game we can win, especially at home because our home form is very good and although it will be difficult, I think we have got the credentials to win the game."

While 'long-term' is never a phrase closely associated with Championship managers, the Forest boss is hoping to be at the helm for years to come and is already working on setting up the club for a bright future.

"The club definitely has a long-term future. I'm holding the leadership of the club right now - hopefully for a long time - and the club will always be here with its wonderful history.

"I'm trying to manage the club through a difficult moment but I think we're getting there. I think we're producing good results and playing good football. Our attendances are good and we're hoping to come out of this embargo soon.

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"It's certainly a lot brighter than it was when I walked through the door but it's been a lot of hard work on and off the field and I feel like these players deserve a lot of credit for the set-backs they've have to handle. I've always told the fans that if I can produce a committed team then that's my responsibility done.

"I am by nature a long term planner and we've tried to implement a long term plan. I want to look back on my time at Nottingham Forest and say it was a success, and that will probably only happen when we leave the football club.

"But let's get it right come Saturday when our whole focus and energy levels will be on trying to beat Watford."