![]() Friday, 10th Sep 2010 21:11 by Mick McDermott Derby County entertain Sheffield United and hope to notch up their first home win of the season.
Derby County vs. Sheffield UnitedPride Park Stadium, DerbyThe npower ChampionshipSaturday, 11th September 2010 - 13:00 pm
Derby County vs. Sheffield United – Historical: P 51 W 33 D 6 L 12 F 105 A 58
Last game at Pride Park: 12/09/09 Derby County 0 - 1 Sheffield United
Recent Form: Derby: 15/24 - P 4 W 1 D 1 L 2 F 6 A 7 Sheffield United: 17/24 - P 4 W 1 D 1 L 2 F 2 A 5
Leading scorers Derby: Commons (2)
Leading scorers Sheffield Utd: Calve, Evans (1)
The Rams: I'm not going to comment on the departure of Hulse other than to say selling your top scorer without a replacement is madness. That said, reports from QPR suggest Hulse isn't fit enough to play for them yet. Fitness was probably a factor in the way we conceded two injury time goals to QPR the other week. Paul Green and Robbie Savage both looked to be fading having both worked very hard during the game. I'm sure Nigel Clough would have liked to bring on someone to shore up the defence but he didn't have the players. I'm sure if we'd have had a fit striker he might have taken the ball to the corner flag rather than try for a third after their first come back goal ... hopefully these are lessons learned. The team played well with Savage for once not chasing every ball and just doing his allotted role in midfield. It's not often I praise Savage but despite being more low key in the QPR game, he was much more effective than usual. The result at this stage of the season is a disappointment but not a calamity. It will only be bad if we don't start putting points on the table and the players lose confidence. The addition of Bueno may be the catalyst the team needs to kick-start them into a bit of form. I remember when Arthur Cox's team was largely toothless up front - Enter Dean Saunders and the rest his history. Clough thinks Bueno can make an impact - from the official site: "It is great news we've managed to secure his signature because other teams across Europe were interested." The Spaniard may not start the game, however. "He is going to need time to adapt to the English game, but we believe he will bring something to our team and make an impact."
Probable Derby County Team Bywater Brayford Leacock Barker Roberts Bailey Savage Bueno Green Commons Cywka Subs – Moxey, Pringle, Martin, Doyle, Porter, Anderson, Deeney
Current Rams Squad: No. Position Player 1 Keeper Stephen Bywater 2 Defender John Brayford 3 Defender Gareth Roberts 4 Midfield Paul Green 5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain) 6 Defender Dean Leacock 7 Striker Steve Davies Injured 8 Midfield Robbie Savage (captain) 10 Midfield Kris Commons 11 Midfield Stephen Pearson Injured 12 Striker Chris Porter Injured 13 Keeper Saul Deeney 14 Defender Russell Anderson 15 Midfield David Martin 16 Midfield James Bailey 17 Defender Jake Buxton 18 Midfield Ben Pringle 19 Striker Tomasz Cywka 20 Defender Miles Addison 21 Defender Dean Moxey 23 Striker Conor Doyle 25 Defender Mark O'Brien 26 Striker Callum Ball 27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid) 32 Keeper James Severn 35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick 36 Defender Kallum Keane 37 Midfield Ryan Connolly 38 Midfield Medi Abalimba 39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Sheffield United: Gary Speed has an almost full squad available for tomorrow's fixture. Chris Morgan is fit and raring to go after missing the Blunts first victory over struggling Preston. Speaking to the Sheffield Star speed said; "Apart from the long term absentees, everyone looks like being available," he said. "At this stage the only ones who look like being out are Darius Henderson, Lee Williamson and Ryan France. Several Blades' players were away on international duty, but Speed said; "There's not been a problem. Everyone who has been away has come back okay, which is good news." Like the Rams, Speed is looking to bolster is squad with Loans. They didn't add any permanent signings in the window and that must be a concern for Speed whose team is the most shot shy in the league. Speed will not be rushed however and is looking for quality ahead of quantity; "Whoever comes in has got to add something to what we've already got; they're going to have to be capable of improving the team, as there's no point in having 20 or 21 players who are just jostling for position."
Current Squad: No. Position Player 1 Keeper Steve Simonsen 2 Defender Stephen Jordan 3 Defender Nyron Nosworthy (On loan from Sunderland) 4 Midfield Nick Montgomery 5 Defender Chris Morgan (captain) 6 Midfield Johannes Ertl 7 Striker Darius Henderson 8 Midfield Leon Britton 9 Striker Ched Evans 10 Striker Daniel Bogdanovic' 11 Midfield Mark Yeates 12 Defender Jean Calvé (on loan from Nancy) 13 Keeper Mihkel Aksalu 14 Midfield Lee Williamson 15 Midfield Ryan France 16 Defender Andy Taylor 17 Striker Richard Cresswell 18 Striker Jamie Ward 22 Defender Rob Kozluk 23 Defender Kyle Bartley (on loan from Arsenal) 28 Midfield Stephen Quinn 30 Midfield Kingsley James 31 Striker Jordan Chapell 32 Defender Phil Roe 34 Defender Matthew Lowton 39 Keeper Paul Crichton 40 Midfield Gary Speed
What the bookies think: Derby are favourites at 7/5 while the Blunts are at 15/8. The draw is 23/10 The Bookies don’t still don't think much of our strike Force with injured Chris Porter the favourite at 11/2 followed by while Kris Commons and Alberto Bueno are at 6/1. Richard Creswell is at 6/1 for the Blunts.
Information for travelling fans: Driving: It’s M1 to J25 for Derby. Follow Brian Clough Way towards the city until you see Pride Park on the right. The ground and away parking are signposted. About 40 miles and an hour’s drive. Parking: Away fans can park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It's about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don't be tempted to park at the Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park at the Fireplace showroom just at the turn off the A52 for Pride Park. Don’t be in a rush to leave however, as it takes an age to get out of there. Another alternative is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island... Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It's about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here. Drinking: Given the early start, it's likely that there won’t be much time for drinking however there are a few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Road always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you're not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.
Mick's prediction: We've conceded more in the last 15 minutes than anyone and the Blades are shot shy. If we get 2 ahead this time I'd hope we can keep it that way. Otherwise I see another draw. I predicted 2-2 last time - what did I tell you about my bitterly ironic true predictions? This time I'm going Derby 2-0 Blades.
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