Daniel J's Match Preview - Derby vs. West Ham
Friday, 30th Dec 2011 14:03 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams have the chance to further impress the home faithful when another promotion chasing team visit Pride Park. Can the Rams reverse last months result or will the high flying hammers give Derby a repeat dose?

Derby County vs. West Ham United

Pride Park Stadium

1:00pm – Saturday December 31st

Current Form – Last 5 League Matches:

Derby: 14th – L, D, W, L, W

West Ham: 2nd – W, L, L, W, D

The Rams:

Just as Nigel Clough would have hoped his squad were once again fit and firing, Mark O'Brien has been struck down with a knee injury which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. O’Brien damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in training during the week and like Paul Green before him has a long recovery ahead of him.

Jeff Hendrick will also miss again after being absent for the last two matches with an ankle injury but Clough will be hoping he can return soon to boost his midfield options.

Steve Davies is close to returning but will be another match or two as he awaits the results of a scan to confirm his fractured skull is 100% repaired.

Theo Robinson and Nathan Tyson will be competing to partner Callum Ball up front after both returned from injury last week in the win over Leeds.

Tamas Priskin is likely to once again be on the bench for his final match on loan at the Rams while Ben Davies and Jake Buxton are likely to join him on the pine.

Robinson, Davies and Bryson will all have to tread carefully as they head into the match on four yellow cards. If they can keep out of the ref’s notebook they will dodge their suspension as the slate is wiped clean from January 1st.

Jason Shackell is hoping the Rams can continue to keep his team’s sheet clean:

"We're not fazed by the prospect of facing one of the promotion hopefuls, this division throws up hard games week after week, so we shouldn't go into the game with any fear at all.”

"We're at home, with our fans behind us, and if we play like we did against Leeds there's no reason why we can't get another win. The clean sheet was a long time coming but it didn't play on our minds.”

"We've been defending well of late and limited teams to very few chances. We've just been unlucky that a few horrible goals went past us. The clean sheet is a good building point and we want a few more, both wins and clean sheets.”

"We've turned the corner in the last four games and hopefully we can keep climbing the table."

West Ham

An already undermanned Hammers has four players on suspension with their Captain Kevin Nolan along with Julien Faubert, George McCartney and Jack Collison all unable to play.

Their injury list only adds to big Sam’s woes with Abdoulaye Faye (thigh), Winston Reid (shoulder), Guy Demel (thigh), Matt Taylor (calf), David Bentley (knee) and Sam Baldock (hamstring) all definite non-starters for the visit to Derby.

Hammers striker Baldock may get a call up after a long spell on the sidelines and with only one fit Centre Half in James Tomkins, Allardyce may need to blood some of the clubs youngsters to fill the widening holes.

Sam spoke to the media about his injury and suspension worries:

“We are pretty depleted. I think that our injury problems are doubled and escalated by our suspensions. It is very unusual to actually get three players who were on four bookings all booked in the same game and missing the next game along with Jack Collison. There are four out on suspension and five or six out injured.”

“It makes life very difficult for us. The defence is the biggest problem we have as the rest of the squad is not quite as weakened as we are at the back. It is about a side that needs to go out and play to its very best in a very difficult game at Derby, whoever is in the team.”

“The players selected need to go out and do their very best. It is a little concerning but it is for one game only so maximum effort from everyone is needed to try and continue our fantastic away record and then we will have plenty of fresh players back from suspension to look at for the Monday game.”

Daniel J’s Match Preview:

The Rams showed a lot of grit and determination in their win over Leeds and rightly so the team has been widely commended.

Despite vastly improved performances of late the fact is that if Frank Fielding had not pulled off some of his best ever saves then the Rams would have at best shared the points.

This points to the fact that Derby’s defence is still inviting the opposition to try their luck on goal - which will bring them undone again if Fielding has an off day.

West Ham has been clinical finishers this season and despite their injury and suspension woes will provide a stiff test for Derby’s back four.

On the flip side - the Hammers defence is severely undermanned and sporting more holes than Swiss cheese. With the attacking pace available to the Rams in Ward, Robinson, Tyson and Green to name a few – Nigel will no doubt be planning a frontal assault to put them under extreme pressure.

Derby has been schizophrenic with their performances in recent months and after winning back their fans could just as easily lose them if they roll out another of their all to frequent - less than inspiring displays.

I have been burned in my predictions before by thinking the Rams could take their form from one game to another – so once again I pour fuel on my person ready to be scalded again.

The Rams to take advantage of a depleted team and near non-existent defence as their stars begin to find fitness and form all over the pitch.

If they can’t there can be no excuses but I am sure Nigel will find some.

Rams 2 - 1 West Ham