G.M's Match Preview: Winless Rams Want To End Blues In Birmingham
Friday, 21st Aug 2015 07:01 by George Martin

Derby are still looking for their first win of the season after Jonny Russell gambled on a diagonal cross field ball to smash home a late equaliser against Middlesbrough.

For once sub Russell did not take too many touches and delivered a much needed and well timed end product.

Derby had made a bright start to the game, but it was Boro who took the lead after a scuffed shot fell into the path of Kike who found the corner of the net.

As usual, Boro were well organised and resolute. Derby huffed and puffed with 68% of the possession, but Boro were close to capping off a typically good away performance and victory.

Some fans will feel Derby were not good enough against their promotion rivals and Boro deserved their win. Others will argue Derby did well to keep going to the death and get a well-earned point.

4 out of the 5 main central midfielders are now injured with one or both of Hanson and Hendrick not assured of starting against Birmingham after both picked up injuries before half time on Tuesday night.

If neither make the cut — we are likely to see Baird revert to central midfield to partner Thorne while Shotton will deputise at right back. Ince could play behind Martin and Russell and Weimann out wide.

However, it may be time to start Martin and Bent in a 4-4-2. This set of players and Derby in general are usually better going and playing on the front foot. When Derby sit back, play cautiously and invite teams on, they far too regularly go a goal behind and then have to play catch up.

Once again, the system Clement chooses to play will dictate the starting eleven.

Birmingham are waiting on the fitness of Toral and Morrison but will be fresh having not played midweek, after Brentford were given permission to re-lay their pitch.

Specter, Cotterill, Gray and Donaldson seem to be the main threats for The Blues as well as Toral if declared fit. Donaldson has pace and power down the middle, with Gray the speed, skill and trickery on the wing. Cotterill is a goal scoring threat and can sometimes deliver quality set pieces.

Birmingham have made a solid start to the season. With the injuries Derby have and a possible lack of confidence from no win in 4, this will be a difficult game.

Prediction: Derby do have the quality to give Birmingham City problems and create chances. However they may get overrun in midfield and struggle defensively in the wide positions.

I do hope I am wrong, but I think Derby will lose 2-1.