Derby County entertain Sheffield United and hope to notch up their first home win of the season.

Derby County vs. Sheffield United

Pride Park Stadium, Derby

The npower Championship

Saturday, 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.

Photo: Action Images

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