G.M's Match Preview: Rams Will Win Over Weakened Wanderers
Saturday, 8th Aug 2015 07:05 by George Martin

Welcome to all readers and Rams fans who i am sure will be looking forward to what will be another interesting rollercoaster of a Championship season.

Go back 3 months against Reading at home and the feeling of disappointment was felt on and off the pitch after the manager had seemingly lost the dressing room with the players had lost all confidence in the devastating run that ended the season.

To be top of the league and 5 points clear in February and then finish the season 8th was only bettered by Notts Forest; who after being top the league, only managed to finish 14th.

Seriously though, it was an awful end to Macca's tenure at DCFC with the whole Newcastle issue especially becoming a total farce, making the whole season feel like a complete waste of time.

Derby cleverly called McCalren's bluff by sacking him in what was a bold move. It was needed. It was inevitable.

Since then Paul Clement has come in and the Derby board, with new owner Mel Morris, have spent millions on transfers and wages to cut out the uncertainty of the play offs and aim again for automatic promotion. Clement certainly has the coaching experience, coaching qualifications and nous on the training ground to be successful. However, arguably promotion is not won there. It is won on a wet, Tuesday night away to Rotherham when you are playing crap and one nil down with 15 minutes to play.

Clement has tried to counter balance his lack of managerial experience by bringing in the experienced head of John Peacck who has previously worked at Derby as Academy Manager when the club were successful under Jim Smith, Eric Steele and Steve McClaren (1st team coach).

Derby are likely to line up with Grant in goal and a back four of Forsyth, Shackell, Keogh and Captain Baird. The formation will then dictate who else play.

The midfield should consist of Hughes and Thorne with Hendrick the more likely as Bryson, despite being declared fit, seems to be once again troubled by injury. It is a big season for Craig after being either been out of form or injured since signing a 5 year contact. He seemed unhappy with how McClaren used him last season - maybe Clement will help the Scot once again find his best form.

Ince and Weimann should also start but Russell will be pushing them after being lively, and scoring goals, in the pre-season. Martin should start up top, but he could fit in behind Bent depending on how attacking Derby want to go.

Derby will be backed by 3,600 fans with Bolton's away end was sold out with 2 weeks still to go before the game. Bolton have gone about their business quietly while others have been spending millons around them. They have re-signed Heskey and the experienced Dobbie from Palace. They have a new right back in Wilson from Charlton and these recent signings are in addition to Ben Amos, Gary Madine, Derik Osede, Jordan Lussey and Jon Ceberio.

Bolton have a number of defensive injury doubts in particular at centre back. In the run up to the game they only have two fit centre halves, but this may change as kick off approaches and their rehabilitation makes an impact.

Bolton's Clough will be looking to be lively in midfield after making a great impact when he burst onto the scene last season with eye-catching performances and important goals for his struggling team. Derby will look to take advantage of their opponents defensive problems and create chances.

However, as Derby experienced last season, there is no point in scoring 3 goals if the opposition are going to score 4. Hence Derby signing Pearce, Carson, Baird and Shackell. All experienced premiership and championship players.

The way Derby line up and who is selected will be interesting. If Derby have serious aspirations of automatic promotion then they will be looking to make a good, solid and winning start.

Prediction: Derby to win 3-1 and Bent to get on the score sheet.