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G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams To Rise Above Relegation Form Forest
Saturday, 17th Jan 2015 07:55 by George Martin

Derby end their recent run of live TV games against local rival Notts Forest in the lunch time kick off on Sky Sports.

After a scary opening ten minutes, Derby played some good football against Ipswich and learnt to win a 'different' way. A long pass upfield panicked the Ipswich defence and Martin muscled through to finish calmly.

Hughes was good on the ball and Grant made some fine saves at the back as Derby went joint top of the league - and were still there at 5pm as results went their way.

How the TV pundits and mardy Mick McCarthy could genuinely see and believe the ball struck Keogh's upper arm for the penalty controversy, I will never ever know. After 10 replays it was still not totally clear and from a Derby point of view it actually looked like the ball brushed Keogh's chest first.

Only Steve Claridge on the football league show actually saw this and spoke common sense. I think Ipswich were clutching at straws after a poor, long ball display.

Eustace and Ibe will be missing from the starting XI as 'the wall' is not only suspended, but also injured and out for a few weeks. Ibe was recalled with immediate effect on Thursday, which is disappointing as Jordan was really starting to find his feet after some fine displays. On the bright side, he won Derby a number of points and has developed his career further, so everyone is a winner.

Mascarell and possibly Ward will come in, but Derby could change formation to 4-4-2, starting with Bent and Martin up and go for the red dog’s jugular from the start. This may be too drastic change and is unlikely. The final option is brining Bryson in for Eustace, but neither Hughes nor Hendrick have seemed comfortable in the CDM role when played there this season.

This is the perfect game for Ward to step up to the plate. He will be itching to start, creates and scores goals, but also must make sure he keeps his head in an intense atmosphere. No unnecessary free kicks Mr Ward!

Russell will continue on the right wing and Buxton will partner Keogh at the back while Derby have the option of Dawkins of the left wing, but he seems to make more of an impact when entering the play from the substitutes bench. Bryson, Best and Shotton will make for a strong bench and will be utilised.

Nottingham Florist's are in relegation form after a very good start to the season. Although their points tally was excellent at the start, they were not necessarily playing that well, according to my red dog friends.

They have only won 2 in the last 19 matches. They seem to be struggling to score despite lots of chopping and changing up front, but also are lacking confidence at the back after conceding a number of goals.

Stuart Pearce will be hoping that top scorer Britt Assombalonga will recover from a hip injury, but has said he does not want to risk any players who are only half fit. Henri Lansbury is available but Michael Mancienne, Matty Fryatt and Andy Reid are still carrying injuries while Dexter Blackstock and Danny Fox are doubts. However, Fryatt might make the bench and Wilson could also feature having trained this week.

If they are struggling for forwards, Florist could play Lars Veldwijk who signed for Forest from Dutch side Excelsior of a fee believed to be £500,000, but he has barely featured so far. He has made just 11 appearances to date and he is yet to hit the back of the net for the not so mighty Reds.

Ex Owl Antonio is a threat going forward with his pace and power, so Christie will have to stay tight, not let him turn and make quality tackles.

In the reverse fixture earlier on in the season, Shotton was preferred at right back, but Florist were on a good run then. Form seems to have reversed since then as they thought they had won the league at the end of September! Wink.

However form can go out of the window for games like this. It is about heart, desire, quality on the ball and keeping 11 players on the pitch. A rare occurrence in this fixture.

Derby's class will hopefully shine through. The first goal will be important as these games, apart from last season, are often tight affairs with players fearful of making a mistake.

Derby need to press and press high. A team low on confidence and in poor form will panic under pressure and be happy to just clear their lines. Derby can take advantage of this and not only get the bragging rights (again!), but also a vital 3 points in the push for automatic promotion.

In Hughes, Hendrick, Russell, Ward and Martin Derby will hopefully have enough prowess to conquer their local rivals. Not to mention Best and Bryson ready to pounce from the bench.

The Brian Clough Trophy will hopefully stay where Brian Clough loved and lived all his life, Derby. As he famously once said,”A Proper Football Town!"


League Form / Match Stats:

Derby — 2nd (L, D, W, W, W):

Since 1994 Derby has only lost once in the 12 matches that have taken place at the iPro / Pride Park.

The Rams have put a bumpy patch behind them and are now unbeaten in 5 games including wins in their last 4.

Derby has only lost once all season at the iPro including wins in their last 5 games on home turf.


Forest — 13th (D, D, L, L, L):

In the last 7 encounters between these great foes - Forest have only managed 1 win. Before that you have to g all the way back to 2011 for another victory.

The Florists lost 6 of their last 7 with their last win coming back in November over Wolves.

Nothingham head to the iPro having lost 3 of their 4 most recent away trips.


Last Time They Met:

Forest 1 - 1 Derby

City Gound — September 2014


Classic Clash Video:

Which other game could we choose?

Derby 5 — 0 Forest

iPro Stadium - March 2014


Player Video Previews:

Chris Martin looks forward to Forest.

Jeff Hendrick previews the big local derby.

COYR!!



Photo: Action Images



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