 Monday, 3rd Jan 2011 07:59 by Mick McDermott
A hard-fought victory against struggling Preston and a returning striker bagging two - is this the start of a 2011 comeback for Clough's beleaguered men?
Derby County vs. MillwallMonday 3rd January 2010 15:00Pride Park - DerbyshireDerby v Millwall - Historical
P 21 W 9 D 5 L 7 F 35 A 26
Last game at Pride Park
12/1/2010 Derby 1-1 Millwall; Davies (in extra time)
Recent Form
Millwall
7/24 P 24 W 9 D 8 L 7 F 31 A 23
Leading scorers:
Morrison (9 lg 2 cp)
Derby
12/24 Derby P 24 W 10 D 3 L 11 F 39 A 35
Leading scorers:
Commons (13 lg)
The Rams
When you've been struggling, a victory is always welcome. Okay Preston are bottom of the league and okay most of their loans have been recalled because of Sir Alex’s fit of pique*, however a win is a win.
Clough rang the changes and Leacock was dropped from the defence and Bueno & Cywka were dropped along with Bailey as Savage was back. As Moore is a goner back to West Brom apparently never to return, Porter started up front.
It worked though reports suggest the team was nervy and didn't really settle. One person reported Bywater as being a liability and but for some goal line heroics from Doyle, might have conceded an equalizer.
The result is something to build on. Millwall will be a different kettle of fish to say the least and mistakes are likely to be punished.
*allegedly
Mick’s Team:
Bywater
Green, Barker, Brayford, Moxey
Bailey, Savage
Bueno, Doyle, Commons
Porter
Substitutes - Roberts, Pringle, Cywka, Moore, Deeney
Current Rams Squad:
No. Position Player
1 Keeper Stephen Bywater
2 Defender John Brayford
3 Defender Gareth Roberts
4 Midfield Paul Green
5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain)
6 Defender Dean Leacock
7 Striker Steve Davies
8 Midfield Robbie Savage
10 Midfield Kris Commons
11 Midfield Stephen Pearson
12 Striker Chris Porter
13 Keeper Saul Deeney
14 Defender Russell Anderson
15 Midfield David Martin
16 Midfield James Bailey
17 Defender Jake Buxton
18 Midfield Ben Pringle
19 Striker Tomasz Cywka
20 Defender Miles Addison
21 Defender Dean Moxey
23 Striker Conor Doyle
25 Defender Mark O'Brien
26 Striker Callum Ball
27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid)
28 Striker Luke Moore (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
30 Keeper Ross Atkins
35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick
36 Defender Kallum Keane
37 Midfield Ryan Connolly
38 Midfield Medi Abalimba
39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Millwall
Unbeaten in seven matches, Millwall are aiming to take their unloved fans to the Premier League. A 3-0 win over Palace cost George Burley his Job. They have only conceded two goals in that run with Stephen Morison on top goal-scoring form.
Not that Millwall are a one-man team as Morison was missing for the Palace game - so Jason Puncheon banged in a hat-trick.
Morison is likely to be missing from the game with a virus while Alan Dunne is suspended. Central defenders Paul Robinson and Dan Shittu are both still struggling with hamstring problems.
Not all Millwall fans are unloved. For those of you who don't know Danny Baker was diagnosed with Cancer last year. Here's hoping that his treatment is a success and he's back making us laugh and annoying us as soon as possible.
Current Lions Squad
No. Position Player
1 Keeper David Forde
2 Defender Alan Dunne
4 Midfield Darren Carter (on loan from Preston North End)
5 Defender Paul Robinson (captain)
6 Midfield Liam Trotter
7 Midfield Danny Schofield
8 Midfield Jason Puncheon (on loan from Southampton)
9 Striker Neil Harris
10 Striker Lewis Grabban
11 Striker Shaun Batt
12 Midfield Chris Hackett
14 Midfield James Henry
15 Defender Tony Craig (vice-captain)
16 Defender Scott Barron
17 Midfield Tamika Mkandawire
18 Defender Darren Ward
20 Striker Steve Morison
21 Defender Jack Smith
22 Striker Kevin Lisbie (on loan from Ipswich Town)
23 Keeper Steve Mildenhall
24 Midfield Marc Laird
26 Midfield Nadjim Abdou
28 Defender Danny Shittu
30 Striker Josh McQuoid (on loan from Bournemouth)
32 Striker John Marquis
What the bookies think
Derby is favourites at 6/5 on while the Lions are at 12/5. The draw is 11/5. Kris Commons is 4/1 as first goals corer while Luke Moore and Alberto Bueno are at 6/1. Clearly Moore didn't let William Hill know he wasn't coming back. Chris Porter is a tempting 7/1.
Stephen Morison is at 5/1 for Millwall.
Information for travelling fans
Driving
It's a long way on a bank holiday for Millwall fans. Take the M1 North to J25 then take the A52 Brian Clough Way to Derby. The ground is on your left as you approach the city.
Parking
Away fans can park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It's about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don't be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park at the Fireplace showroom just at the turn off the A52 for Pride Park.
Don’t be in a rush to leave however as it takes an age to get out of there. Another alternative is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island... Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It's about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.
Drinking
There are a few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters.
The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you're not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good.
The Waterfall opposite the station is very good as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.
Mick's Prediction
A tougher game and the team will need to be on form to derail Millwalls attempt on the top. I can't see anything beyond a draw.
Rams 1 - 1 Millwall
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