 Saturday, 15th Jan 2011 11:02 by Mick McDermott After steadying the ship in the League the Rams sunk against Crawley. An away trip to Watford offers a chance of redemption before facing the home fans for Forest.
Watford FC vs. Derby County15/01/2011 15:00 Vicarage Rd - Watford
Watford v Derby - Historical P 17 W 4 D 7 L 6 F 23 A 29
Last game at Vicarage Road 12/12/2009 Watford 0-1 Derby; Porter
Current Form Watford 6/24 - P 24 W 11 D 6 L 7 F 47 A 35 Leading scorer Graham (14lg3cp)
Derby 13/24 - P 25 W 10 D 4 L 11 F 39 A 35 Leading scorers Commons (13)
The Rams Humiliated in the Cup, Humiliated at the City Ground, calls for the manager the board to go and threats of not renewing a season tickets - It's safe to say the Rams are off the rails at the moment. Why? We know they can play. Was it just Shefki Kuqi and Frank Fielding in goal that turned the current team into possible contenders for the Premier League? It's difficult to remember that at Burnley we were ten minutes from going second. What changed after that game? Like all fans I have my theories but the truth is that I don't know. Everything from the manager not being competent at this level to lack of investment by the board has been discussed and argued on the Net and doubtless in the pubs and clubs but other than an interview on BBC Radio Derby with Tom Glick, little has been said. The interview was interesting. The club are looking to strengthen during the transfer window - but as usual it has to be right for the club. We're being linked with players again such as Ben Davies at Notts. County - but there's clearly not going to be any Barker-esque fees paid. It was restated that Clough is the man for us. While I didn't think that Clough was the right man for the job when he was taken on, I still think we need to stick with him. Sacking a manager every 18 months is not good practice. What Clough does need is to listen. He needs to look at the best position for players and play them there. He needs to stop playing injured players. He needs to have a plan B for when Plan A doesn't work and he needs to know what the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition are. He doesn't seem to be getting that from his current backroom and maybe we should be thinking about strengthening there, rather than on the field?
Mick's Team: Bywater Brayford, Barker, Addison, Moxey Green, Savage, Bailey Bueno, Commons Porter Substitutes - Cywka, Pringle, Leacock, Davies, 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) 30 Keeper Ross Atkins 35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick 36 Defender Kallum Keane 37 Midfield Ryan Connolly 38 Midfield Medi Abalimba 39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Watford It's all talk of takeovers at Watford at the moment. Just over a year ago the club were on the verge of Administration and looking to be in big trouble - now they are in the play off places and looking very good on the pitch. Six straight runs and unbeaten in eight games, former Ram loanee Danny Graham is leading from the front. He's scored in each of the last 6 games. Boss Malky Mackay is thought to be attracting interest from other clubs but Chair Julian Winter told BBC local Radio; "We've had no interest and we don't welcome any." "Winter revealed that the profits from last Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Hartlepool were donated to the Marie Curie Cancer charity. That's a grand gesture form a club that only a year ago had big money troubles." "Yes, the football club last year went through a fairly well publicised bit of drama. But the donation is all relative in term of the club's overall revenue."
Current Hornets team No. Position Player 1 Keeper Scott Loach 2 Defender Lee Hodson 4 Midfield John Eustace (captain) 5 Defender Martin Taylor 6 Defender Adrian Mariappa (vice-captain) 7 Midfield Don Cowie 8 Midfield Josh Walker 9 Striker Troy Deeney 10 Striker Danny Graham 11 Striker Will Buckley 12 Defender Lloyd Doyley 13 Keeper Rene Gilmartin 14 Midfield Ross Jenkins 15 Midfield Stephen McGinn 16 Midfield Michael Bryan 17 Defender Dale Bennett 20 Striker Marvin Sordell 23 Midfield Piero Mingoia 24 Midfield Matthew Whichelow 25 Defender Eddie Oshodi 26 Midfield Sean Murray 27 Striker Gavin Massey 28 Defender Tom Aldred 29 Defender Adam Thompson 30 Keeper Jonathan Bond What the bookies think Watford is favourites naturally at 5/6 on while we are at 3/1. The draw is 11/5. Kris Commons is at 7/1 as first goal scorer while Danny Graham is at 9/2.
Information for travelling fans Driving It's a fairly straightforward journey to Watford. Take the M1 South to J5 then take the A4008 into Watford. The ground is on the left as you near the town centre. The Train is probably the best way to travel. Parking There's a large car park at the Vicarage Rd Girl School and there are lots of car parks in the town. Drinking With the town centre being so close, there are plenty of places to drink. Watford fans aren't particularly hostile and tend to be welcoming. The Odd Fellows Bar in Fearnley Street is particularly welcoming. Note they don't sell Alcohol to visiting supporters in the ground.
Mick's prediction My fears for last week were well founded as the Rams did not turn up. Turmoil and strife are never far away from the Rams door and it's often when it appears darkest we come rip roaring back. Hopefully we can do that this week to set us up for the Forest game. We have shown we can be a good team - we need to have that belief again. Watford 2-2 Derby
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