Revitalised Rams Will Add To Birmingham's Blues - Match Day Preview
Saturday, 26th Oct 2013 07:54 by George Martin

Derby should go into Saturday's game against Birmingham full of confidence in what the club are predicting to be the highest attendance of the season so far.

A fantastic, positive performance and result against in form Watford, surely left even the most optimistic supporter slightly surprised.

For me, being positive from the word go was the difference. This led to Derby taking an early lead and despite an equaliser and pressure mid way through the second half the attitude towards the end of the game was to 'go for it'.

It was a welcome change from sitting back and the usual Clough, 'keep what we've got' negative/cautious mentality, which often infuriated me and usually led to an opposition winner or equaliser.

Zak Whitbread has a calf strain which will keep him out for a few weeks, so the main selection point will be to either go with Buxton or new loan signing Wisdom.

Only McClaren and his coaching team will know the answer. With the massive Zigic likely to start, I would be tempted to go with Buxton's physical presence.

After being taken off at half - time I am unsure whether Bennett will be given another start and I have a feeling Dawkins will start on the left.

For Birmingham, Arsenal loanee Lingard has a knee injury and according to reports he is already ruled out. Like Troy Deeney being injured for Watford last week, this can only be good news for Derby.

Hopefully it will be a 'good time' to play Birmingham. If you look at their last three games, they are out of form and we still seem to be buzzing from McClaren's appointment and more importantly, good results.

Derby need to keep a close eye on the threat of Novak, Burke and Zigic, but hopefully we will have too much in attack, be positive from the off AND towards the end of the game (!) and as a result nab another 3 points.

Score prediction: 3-1 with Martin to score at least one of them.

Recent Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Derby (8th): L,L,D,W,W

Birmingham (20^th): W,L,W,L,L

Match Facts:

The two teams have met 98 times over 118 yearswith Derby County holding sway with 36 wins to 33.

If Derby win and record their third consecutive league win, it will be the first time Steve McClaren has won the first three games of a new managerial appointment since taking charge of England in 2006.

The Rams have held off an unwanted record in recent weeks but a loss will secure Derby their 700th loss in second tier of English football.

Craig Bryson will play his 100th game for Derby — congrats Craig, you are a star!