G.M's Match Preview: Rams Must Break Habit Of My Lifetime To Beat Wolves
Saturday, 8th Nov 2014 06:55 by George Martin

Derby will be hoping for a second home win inside 5 days as they take on Wolves at the iPro Stadium in front of the Sky Sports Cameras - in what should be a cracking top 6 clash.

Derby again played some attractive attacking football against an in form Huddersfield side and despite totally switching off in injury time to concede from a corner. Derby were well worth the victory despite Butland having to make 3 very good saves during the game while Christie's block at the back post, in front of the south stand, was celebrated like a goal. High fives all round!

Russell was lively and gained the man of the match award, but I still wonder about his final cross, shot or pass. Johnny also was not back behind the line of the ball to help Christie out for the Huddersfield equaliser when the defence got pulled across to the left.

I thought Keogh and Shotton also made some superb tackles and blocks, and I can see them being the number one pairing for the weeks and months to come barring any injuries or suspensions.

Masscarell, Hughes and Hendrick will look to hold onto their starting eleven shirts in midfield but if required Bryson can provide energy and Eustace experience, if things are not quite working out for The Rams.

Ibe will still be buzzing from his goal so should start on the left wing and Martin will hope his pass completion rate will be higher than against Huddersfield when leading the front line. Forsyth had a much better match on Tuesday and did not give the ball away as much as in previous weeks and Christie was also solid.

Wolves have continued their great form since being promoted from League 1 and sit with Derby in the play off positions. Losing 2-1 away to Ipswich in midweek was only their third defeat of the season. It was also their first defeat on the road in seven games.

Midfielder Dave Edwards suffered medial ligament damage in the defeat at Ipswich and is expected to be out for a number of weeks. Ex - Ram Michael Jacobs could deputise but Nouha Dicko (hamstring) and Scott Golbourne (foot) are both still out.

Sake, Dikov and James Henry have been scoring the goals as Wolves seem to have been in the top 6 for most of the season. They have a similar record to Derby, but have scored fewer goals.

Derby does not have an impressive record home or away against Wolves. I look back as a child and can barely remembering us beating them. You have to go back to 1993 for our last home win against them; in the old Division One! Since then Wolves are unbeaten in nine trips to Derby with five wins. Is this time to change that record?

Let's hope so.

If Wolves come to attack and play - it could play into Derby's hands, but the whole of the midfield, including Ibe and Russell have to not just get back behind the ball but get back behind the ball sooner. Butland and the back four will need to do their jobs to the best of their ability when required as Sako will be a menace all game.

When Wolves are in possession Derby need to work hard to pressurise and make them play it long. If they do this - the midfield have to be first to the knock downs and headers from Keogh and Shotton.

It will be a packed stadium for the 12:15 kick off and is likely to be one of the highest attendances of the season so far and in turn a cracking atmosphere.

The best things about going to games under McClaren instead of Clough - is that they now mean something and people are motivated to go. I used to dread Tuesday night games and lunch time kick offs. They seemed to get in the way of real life.

But now we have a team and a squad that as Craig 'Razza' Ramage from Radio Derby says, 'is going places.' Having said that, Wolves could prove difficult to break down and get the better of.

The players have the ability and quality to break them down. The decisions in the final thirds will be crucial if Derby are to secure a victory.

I am going to sit on the fence a little with this one - mainly due to out poor record against Wolves for a large proportion of my life.

A score draw.

League Form / Match Stats:

Derby — 4th (W,W,L,L,W):

The Rams have not defeated Wolverhampton since 2006 when they were victorious 0-1 at Molineux. Since then in their last 5 encounters - the visitors have won 3 and drawn 2.

Derby has not beaten Wolves at home since 1993 — losing 5 and drawing 4.

Derby has only lost 1 match at home this season and 3 for the whole season.

Wolves - 6th (D,W,W,D,L):

Wolves have been in good form of late and were on a run of 5 unbeaten until they lost at Ipswich in midweek. Their away form has also been impressive with the loss at Ipswich being the first in 7 on their travels.

Wolves can leap frog the Rams on the table with a win at the iPro as they currently only sit 2 points behind Derby (4th) in 6th place.