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G.M's Match Preview: Tighter Affair Will be Test For Rams
Saturday, 16th Aug 2014 08:05 by George Martin

Derby's first away game for the season in the league will see the players and over four thousand Ram fans making the short trip up the M1 to Hillsborough.

Both teams have won their first two games and are yet to concede a goal. Derby did the double on the Owls last season, but I believe this will be a tighter affair and more of a test for the Rams.

Derby will welcome back Jake Buxton for Zak Whitbread on the left side of centre. Buxton was rested against Carlisle with two games in 48 hours proving too much for his hip flexor niggle.

It is anyone's guess who will start out wide, but I am not sure Ward did quite enough in the league cup tie to keep Russell out, so Russell could come back in for Ward.

The central midfield three will stay the same with Hendrick starting the season well and Hughes being competent in the holding midfield role.

Martin will continue to look to hold the ball up front, but will be marked tightly, so he will have to have a better game then he did on Monday, although he did score, eventually! :)

This season Sheffield Wednesday are more organised, tighter at the back and have more attacking flair. This has resulted in a good opening day win away to Brighton, although the Seagulls did go down to 10 men and a very competent performance at home to Notts County in the league cup.

The Owls have a good shot stopper in Westwood and the defence will be marshalled by Loovens and Mattok. Ex Ram Maguire now seems to be deployed in a right midfield role and attacking options will come from Maghoma, Nuhiu and Madine.

The biggest decision for manager Stuart Gray to make is whether to give a debut to £800,000 signing Stevie May who has made a move from St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League. He is a U21 Scottish international and his goal scoring record is impressive.

Having made a good start to the season, Gray will need to decide to stick with a winning team or give their 'big money signing' his debut.

Derby's defence will need to be focused and tight. The midfield will need to win the battles in the middle of the park and make the extra man count when in possession of the ball.

Martin will need to have a softer first touch and hold the ball up better then he did against Carlisle. Hendrick and Bryson will need to make sure they get close to him and sometimes beyond him to stretch the Sheffield Wednesday midfield and defence.

With nearly 30 thousand fans expected it is sure to be a cracking atmosphere and this game, for whatever reason, always seems to be enjoyable.

This may be because we have not lost home or away to the Owls in 12 outings.

However, this will be a tough test and on this occasion I am going to go for score draw.


Current Form / Clash History:

Wednesday (8th ): Won their opening day clash and League Cup fixture.

Sheffield Wednesday have not triumphed over The Rams since they visited Pride Park in April of 2006 and secured a 0 - 2 win.

The last time they fleeced the Rams at Hillsborough came in Novermber of 2005 with a 2 - 1 victory.


Derby (7th): Defeated Rotherham on opening day and Carlisle in the Cup.

Derby has not been beaten by Wednesday in their last 12 encounters (8 wins, 4 draws) including their last 6 visits to Hillsborough - long may it continue!


Last Time They Met:

The Rams ran out 0 — 1 winners in February at Hillsborough in February when a Patrick Bamford screamer broke the deadlock.


Match Preview Video - The Gaffer:


Classic Clash Video: :

Wednesday 2 vs. 5 Derby

Premier League - 24th September 1997

COYR!!




Photo: Action Images



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