D.J's Match Preview - Derby vs. Cardiff
Wednesday, 2nd Nov 2011 13:16 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams will be hoping to build on their best 45 minutes of football this season and make it two from two at home while widening the gap between themselves and those outside the top six.

Derby County vs. Cardiff

Pride Park Stadium - Derbyshire

7:45pm – Wednesday November 2nd

Current Form – Last 5 League Matches:

Derby: 5th – L, D, D, L, W

Cardiff: 10th – D,L,W,W,D

The Rams

After leaving the pitch with a shoulder injury during the win over Portsmouth, Mark O'Brien could still face Cardiff with the assistance of some injections to ease the pain. Scans during the week have him rated as doubtful after they showed a sprain to his shoulder joint.

It is more likely that Nigel will not want to risk his young starlet and instead use the same back four that finished the match on Saturday. If so Anderson will start in the middle of defence and Kilbane at right back. With Jake Buxton fit again and back on the bench O’Brien may end up being rested all together.

Clough has other concerns with Theo Robinson carrying a swollen hamstring and Chris Maguire sporting a broken nose. Robinson is unlikely to feature but indications are that Maguire will play.

Tomasz Cywka would seem the obvious replacement although Nigel has been playing 15-year-old Mason Bennett ahead of the Polish striker in recent matches. Callum Ball must also be a chance after continuing his impressive scoring record with a goal for the reserves earlier this week.

Talking to the official site – Nigel Clough is enjoying the consecutive home matches:

"We've won half the amount of home games we managed in all of last season already so we want to equal that total and go beyond that as soon as we can. You need to primarily get the points on the board at home and we've done that so far."

"We were back to our best on and off the ball on Saturday and that is exactly how we want to play. There is a lot of pressure playing at Pride Park, or there certainly has been in the last few years."

"But this group of players, perhaps because of their age of the type of characters they are, haven't been fazed by it all. We have a nice blend of youth and experience, which is working really well for us and we think it's a great formula to have."

"The signs have been good from the opening day against Birmingham and although it is early days yet, the signs are promising. "

"I think there was a little nagging doubt at the back at everyone's minds because we hadn't won in five games. The way we played on Saturday you'd have thought we had won the previous five matches."

"We knocked the ball about really well, created chances and looked a real threat every time we got near Portsmouth's goal."

Cardiff

Defender Anthony Gerrard is likely to be back in the team for the trip to Derbyshire after being suspended for their last match against the dirty.

Former Ram Kenny Miller has recovered from a head injury but is only likely to find a seat on the bench as Joe Mason has been impressing in the role with 3 goals in his last 3 matches.

Striker Rudy Gestede has definitely been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Bluebirds Keeper David Marshall is hoping to turn some away draws into wins:

"It's about concentration and a bit of belief. We have beaten West Ham and Southampton and we have been to Blackpool and controlled most of the game, so that should give us belief to go and start games well. “

"There have obviously been a few games where we have been ahead and not held on so there are a lot of things that can get better but as the boys get to know each other it can only get better. “

"We have dropped points where we shouldn't have and hopefully that is just the team gelling together. Ninth is not a bad position to be in and hopefully we can get better and win games."

DanJ’s Match Preview:

After the weekend’s brilliant performance – anything less than another home win will seem like an opportunity lost for the Rams.

Having opened a small gap between them and the teams outside of the top six – if they can add another three points to their season tally – the form of the previous 5 matches, that went by without a win, will have been reversed somewhat.

Bryson, Hendrick, Shackell and Anderson were brilliant during the Pompey match and the only drawback from the win will be the key players ruled out by injury.

O’Brien and Robinson have been in great form for the Rams but both are unlikely to feature while Maguire is believed to be playing despite a broken nose.

Personally I would love to see Tomasz Cywka start the match alongside Maguire or Cywka and Ball (who really does deserve a chance considering his reserves form), should Maguire not take his spot.

Despite what I would like - I think Nigel will start with Maguire and Bennett up front which will worry Cardiff if Chris and Mason produce the same form they have produced in their last two outings.

The back four will most likely be Roberts, Shackell, Anderson and Kilbane with a fit again Jake Buxton an option in the centre if Nigel would prefer Anderson to continue on the right.

The Rams could have been 4 or 5 up at half time on Saturday and will only need to produce something close to that performance again to take all 3 points from the Welsh who have had two away trips in the last 4 days.

Cardiff looked less than convincing in their 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday and will need to step things up to secure, what would only be their second away win of the season, should they defeat Derby.

With a big home crowd behind them once again and buoyed by Saturday nights fabulous performance I expect the Rams to clip the Bluebirds wings.

Dan J’s Score Prediction:

We used to worry about former Rams playing against us but so far this season the curse seems to be taking a break with the likes of Howard and Varney not troubling the scoresheet.

Kenny Miller and Rob Earnshaw are likely to be on the bench and unless they produce barnstorming substitute performances, then I think Derby will rise above injury concerns to make it two consecutive home wins.

Derby 2 – 1 Cardiff

For visitors to Pride Park:

Parking

There is not a great deal of parking available close to Pride Park. The best bet is to either park in the city centre (lots of signposted car parks) or the Cattle Market Car Park.

Stay on the A52 to the Pentagon Island, take the first left and follow the road round to the left. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the Stadium.

There’s also a car park straight off the A52 at the Pride Park junction by the fireplace showroom however it’s a pain in the arse to get out of after the match. If you are looking for free parking head for Ascot Drive off the A6 and park down one of the side streets.

Where to drink

There are a few pubs and Eateries near the ground but not all admit away fans showing colours these days. The Navigation Inn on London rd has always been popular with away fans and there’s a Harvester and Frankie & Bennies on Pride Park.

The natives are friendly as long as you aren’t being an arse.