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This Really Could Be Our Year - Notes for Derby
Friday, 29th Aug 2014 09:30 by HarryFromBath

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

"One thing is certain. The team that finishes above Derby this season will need to be good, as this team has the potential to go all the way", "We are the top side when we get into top gear, with great pace, style and organisation."

Having endured a number of mediocre seasons and narrowly lost last year's play-off final, most Rams are sanguine and realistic when assessing their chances of promotion this year. They know how hard it is to get out of this division, but they also know that they have a decent side.

"I don't think we are arrogant. Most fans half-fear that it will all go to pieces in the next match or the match after that. We have been rubbish for so long that we cannot quite believe that this can be sustainable", "We haven't sold anybody, so I don't think that the wheels are about to come off."

Rams 5 — 1 Fulham

"Fulham are a right mess at the minute. This could be the perfect game for us. I actually think we'll hammer them on Saturday", "There won't be a better time to play Fulham", "I feel a drubbing coming for someone."

"Time to light the cigars. That was a flawless display, and just the statement we wanted to send out to the rest of the division. Nobody can cope with us when we click", "We put the opposition to the sword today, and that's exactly what we wanted to see after our perceived stuttering start."

Last Saturday's win was an impressive result against "a bunch of kids and pony-tails marshalled by the evergreen Scotty Parker". The visitors failed to press the Rams' midfield and gave their wide players too much freedom. Some Rams have urged fellow supporters not to get too carried away.

"I said it before and I'll say it again. We weren't that good today and nor were we when we beat Forest 5-0 at home last season. We were clinical, but there wasn't that huge a difference between the sides until Fulham completely collapsed", "The scoreline flattered us a little."

A Brief Wobble

The Rams picked up one point from their two away games before the Fulham rout, playing out a scoreless draw at Sheffield Wednesday before losing 3-2 at Charlton. "Sheffield Wednesday really worked hard to stop our passing game", "We blew hot and cold. It was a disjointed affair."

"Wednesday were on top of us right from the first minute. They were disciplined, organised, tidy on the ball and didn't allow us to settle into our playing style", "They were strong and committed yet created nothing drastic", "We weren't great because they stopped us playing our game."

"Charlton had identified that we were playing it out from the back, and began closing us down quickly. As a result the keeper resorted to hoofing. We never got going", "We're the hunted rather than the hunters now", "There will be more games like this when teams work out how we play."

Steve McClaren

"One of the things which impressed me about McClaren is that he could see how good a squad we had. He just gave them confidence and took his time to see what improvements we needed." The manager is respected for his training ground work and for patiently developing the squad.

The former England boss has also been praised for his adventurous approach. "Credit to Steve for going for it with his substitutions", "We have all praised Steve's attacking instincts. He went for it but this time (against Charlton in the league) it didn't work out."

The Rams' 4-3-3 System

The half-time break in our memorable 4-4 draw last year turned out to be a momentous 15 minutes for the Rams in hindsight. They have stuck with the 4-3-3 system introduced that day, using a narrow midfield trio, with one holding midfielder and the lone striker acting as pivots.

Their attacking threat comes from breaking wide and central midfielders. They are often brought into play by the holding player or they can have the ball laid off to them by the striker. Full-backs also have scope to overlap with the wide players often cutting inside.

This creates a fluid attacking platform and requires quick passing played at a high tempo. Opponents have only been able to stifle this by cutting it off at source, closing down the holding midfielder and the full-backs, or by trying to kill the tempo of the game.

Central Defence

"We look panicky whenever the ball is fired with height into the box", "I am happy that our attacking players are footballers rather than giants, but having a big dominant defender gives us strength in both boxes", "We need two rock solid centre-backs, but at the moment they are not."


Lee Grant

Former Burnley keeper Lee Grant "commands his area well, and is always looking to start an attack". The 31-year-old "looks like a Premier League standard keeper", "He saves brilliantly, is very solid and holds on to everything", "He is our best goalkeeper since Mart Poom."

"Grant's handling is good, his kicking not so much." His kicking is regularly criticised. "His long ball distribution was half the problem (against the Owls)", "I was disappointed with his distribution", "He is prone to hoofing it but his handling is assured."

"Jake Buxton is solid as a rock." The 29-year-old ex-Burton Albion centre-back has been carrying a hip injury. "He was definitely playing through the pain barrier (against Fulham)", "He's a hardy reliable professional but not so indispensable to play on one leg."

"Bucko had a good defensive display (against Sheffield Wednesday) but came a bit unstuck with the lack of options to pass to. Will Hughes, who was the holding player, was marked out of the game and no-one else showed for him. He was left trying to hit the widemen."

"We all know Richard Keogh is prone to the occasional error, so needs protection from the midfield to keep these down to a minimum", "He is impressive on the ball and looks to bring it out", "His confidence is coming back after the Wembley play-off defeat", "To hell with Zamora."


The 28-year-old one-time Town academy schoolboy and ballboy struggled in the league defeat to Charlton. "Keogh looked like an average championship defender. He conceded a penalty and lost possession when he missed a header near our box in the move for their third goal."

Former Leicester defender Zak Whitbread has featured in Capital One Cup games and the 30-year-old played a storming game in the midweek win over Charlton. "Anyone who says he isn't good enough wasn't at the game. It was one of the best performances I've ever seen from a defender."

"It was a defending master class. Whitbread strolled around the pitch mopping things up and putting a foot in where needed. He single-handedly repelled a barrage of corners near the end", "If Buxton is still injured it makes sense to keep Whitbread in against Ipswich."

Full-Backs

"Our full-backs do the wingers' job for them", "Fulham's diamond made it a full-back game for us. It was so easy to get Forsyth and Christie up", "Against Wednesday, neither full-back managed to get forward effectively, and there wasn't much penetration down the wings."

"Craig Forsyth has turned into a decent Championship defender", "Fozzy deserves real credit for the way he dealt with Patrick Roberts (last Saturday)." The 25-year-old former Watford left-back "made some crucial tackles to keep us in the ascendancy", "He barely gave Roberts a kick of the ball."

"Forsyth seems to be under instructions not to get forward too much, perhaps to balance out Cyrus Christie on the right." He has been the more defensive full-back and his passing has been regularly criticised. "How can Fozzy hit mostly great crosses but he can't seem to play a 10-yard pass?"

Ryan Shotton joined from Stoke this week and played at right-back in the midweek cup game. The 25-year-old "is comfortable defensively, but lacks the trickery of Christie to go past his marker and put a ball in when getting forward", "He is strong in the air and has a weapon with that throw."

Cyrus Christie

"Christie looks a decent buy. We have a replacement to fill Andre Wisdom's shoes." The 21-year-old right-back joined from Coventry this summer. "He attacks down the flank time and again", "I really like the look of him. He puts in a decent cross."

"He had a stormer against Fulham", "He had an awesome performance, overlapping on the right flank, linking superbly with Jamie Ward throughout on the wing." He was, however, denied time and space by Charlton. "Nothing seemed to click for him. He was thrown by their system."

"I get more impressed with lad every time I see him", "He's smooth going forward and rugged in defence. He can be naïve with his positioning at times and is not great in the air for one so big", "He needs to work on his close control. He looks great at speed but is a bit gangly at close quarters."

The Holding Midfielder

"We are still coming to terms with the George Thorne injury", "There probably isn't a better defensive midfielder in the league and he combines the defensive skills of John Eustace with the attacking qualities of Will Hughes." The ex-Baggie is out until April with a knee ligament injury.

"With our deepest midfielder marked (by the Owls), the keeper and centre-halves hoofed long balls when we played the ball out", "Only on the rare occasion that we played it short out of our defence did we get anything going."

"I'm not sure Omar Mascarell looks a tackler. He seems more a passer of the ball in the Butch Wilkins sort of role", "It's no coincidence that our most comfortable passing play comes from when he is organising and dictating the play."

The 21-year-old Spaniard is with the Rams on a season-long loan from Real Madrid. He found the going tough in the cup win over the Addicks on Tuesday. "He was too slow to release the ball which inevitably went backwards and sideways. He was bypassed and outmuscled a few times."

John Eustace

"I think Eustace is the option we go for as everything needs to tighten up." Steve McClaren has experimented with Mascarell and Will Hughes in the holding role, but everything clicked when the 34-year-old former Watford man made his first appearance of the season against Fulham.

"Johnny Eustace has been doing a masterful job. The gaps are plugged and Fulham cannot find a way through to their frontmen", "We look so much better with a natural holding midfielder", "He did nothing wrong last season. He just ran out of steam due to his age."

"It's the right decision for the stability and experience he brings in midfield. Keogh needs his support on the field. It's like having two captains on the pitch", "I certainly think he has engraved his name on the teamsheet for the next few weeks with that performance."

The Passing Central Midfielders

"We have the players to play our way out of trouble and I can see us winning the midfield battle in almost all of our games this season", "We'll be better off playing passing football sides as it will usually come down to who has the most quality on the pitch."

"Craig Bryson needs a rocket up his ****", "He needs a good shaking", "He can be anonymous when the team isn't playing well. I forgot he was on the field when we struggled in the first half against Fulham."

The 27-year-old former Kilmarnock man "is full of running but hasn't offered too much", "Bryson has been the most disappointing player. I can count on one hand the number of things he has done in the last four games", "I hope he finds his game soon as he has been ordinary and invisible."

"Jeff Hendrick is our best all round midfielder when firing on all cylinders", "He started off quietly against Fulham and grew into the game. We didn't see the trademark driving runs at all." Some Rams criticise the 22-year-old youth product for "losing the ball too many times."

Will Hughes

"Hughes is wasted as a holding midfielder. It's obvious he wants to play further forward", "He can play the holding role at home when teams sit back", "He is neat and tidy but doesn't run a game which Thorne can do from that position." He struggled in this role at Hillsborough and the Valley.

The 19-year-old youth product came on from the bench against Fulham. "The last 10 minutes showed why he should be playing in one of the more advanced roles", "Two simple but perfectly weighted passes for two goals", "What a reminder of how beautifully he unpicks the opposition."

"Hughes is just a joy to watch. He tempts the opposition in before placing a ball perfectly in front of a team mate so that they don't even have to break stride to control it", "His passing is so simple and effective that it's easy to underestimate him."

Wide Midfield

"Our wingers aren't wingers as such. They receive the ball wide, but cut in. This gives the option of our full-backs having the space to push on as the real wingers", "It can get very crowded if we cut inside without pace, losing us possession or forcing us backwards."

"We need width and pace up front. We need players racing into the box to get on the end of crosses", "Playing off Chris Martin when cutting in can no longer be the sole option. We need a winger who can beat his man and get authentic crosses into the box."

"Johnny Russell will score the most goals of the three wingers, but also gets dispossessed more", "He's the biggest threat of all our wingers", "He attacks the full-back at every opportunity, but his decision making when he gets to the byline can be terrible", "He is more direct but more wasteful."

"Russell's pace changed the game against the Owls. He missed a sitter, but actually got in behind a slow back four and ran at his opponents." The 24-year-old former Dundee United man "looks bright and lively, but nobody gets on the end of his crosses."

"Simon Dawkins seems to do well when the team is on top, but not when we are pushing for a goal", "It's not about effort, but using his ability and taking the right options. He needs to stop being greedy and holding on to the ball", "He dashes inside too much and chances were wasted."

The 26-year-old ex-Tottenham winger "seems devoid of confidence, not controlling the ball regularly when it is usually a strong point". On Tuesday, "he had a very steady performance. He did the basics right, but seemed reluctant to take on his man".

Jamie Ward

"A confident Ward is a dangerous Ward." One positive to emerge from the 3-2 defeat at the Valley was the two goals scored by the 28-year-old former Sheffield United right-winger. "Even though we lost, it will have done Ward's confidence the world of good."

He ran riot against Fulham. "What a game Ward is having", "It's amazing what a few goals will do for you", "He has been a constant menace and worked his socks off", "His link-up play with Christie was exciting. He was a non-stop tormentor", "Martin could have had five with the crosses he put in."

Last week's performance was in sharp contrast to his previous games. "He came on against Rotherham and again showed why he is on the bench. He was awful, gave the ball away, and looked like he had lost a yard of pace", "He has too many legs and gets confused."

Strikers

"Patience is going to be huge this season", "We need pace up front. If games aren't going well, we need to change the formation otherwise we will be too predictable." Rams would like to see a speedy striker to give them a different option from the bench.

"How ripped is Leon Best?", "He has the biggest calves in football." The 27-year-old Irish international is on a season-long loan from Newcastle, and has been primarily played on the wing, coming on from the bench in league games. "He's a better version of Conor Sammon."

Chris Martin

"Who would you have rather had today — Chris Martin or Ross McCormack?", "That was a complete centre-forward's performance. His hold-up play was superb and his touch was brilliant. He knows what to do with the ball before he gets it as we saw with some of his brilliant first-time passes."

The 25-year-old former Canary "makes me smile. For long periods he looks slow, cumbersome and lazy. Then he plays some great first-time passes and comes alive with the ball at his feet in the box", "He showed why he is integral to the system. His hold-up play is superb, bringing the midfielders in."

He struggled against the Owls. "He was frustrated. He fought hard but had no service", "With this system an unsupported centre-forward has two centre-backs to deal with. There is no point in hoofing it up to him. He has to drop off and come deep, and we need to play it on the ground."

Rams' Views on ITFC and the Game

"I'm looking forward to this one, and I think that we will easily get the win. Ipswich has had a decent start to the campaign, but we by far have the better squad. I really see no changes from the game against Fulham. If we play the way we did then I see no way Ipswich can keep up with us."

With 82% predicting a home win, Rams are very confident about Saturday's game. The most popular score forecasts are 2-0, 2-1, or 3-1, and Chris Martin is comfortably ahead of Craig Bryson and Johnny Russell in the first goal scorer predictions.

"McCarthy sets his teams up well. We must score first", "I watched them play Norwich. They looked pretty woeful and Norwich weren't much better. They have big lumps in the team, so if we defend corners properly and contain McGoaldrought we should get the win."

"They stopped us playing before at home, wasted time and hit us on the counter. McCarthy is likely to try the same again", "For some reason we never beat Ipswich at home. I was at the game when they snatched it in the 93rd minute", "We have an awful record at home to Ipswich in recent years."

"It does rankle though that Sammon cannot play as I was so looking forward to seeing him make costly mistakes for the Tractor Boys", "The one thing you could guarantee if The Fish played he'd tear us a new one, probably hitting the greatest hat-trick anyone had ever seen with their own eyes."

Websites

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coyb99 added 09:41 - Aug 29
Reading this, I'm slightly fearful about this game... Let's just hope we pull out a great performance, COYB!
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LiamCP123 added 09:55 - Aug 29
Have a bad feeling about tomorrow...Hope I'm wrong, COME ON TOWN !!!
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Tractamatt added 09:57 - Aug 29
I so hope I'm wrong but I'm expecting nothing but a defeat at this one, for once I'm looking forwards to the international break.
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Letchworth_Blue added 10:09 - Aug 29
As bad as Leicester away last year? My heart says no, but head says probably!
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JimmyJazz added 10:19 - Aug 29
The one silver lining? Connor Sammon can not be selected
1

cornishnick added 10:39 - Aug 29
A club with ambition vs a club with none. Fear a real drubbing
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HALLSJ added 11:55 - Aug 29
Had three results this wkend: Man City, Wigan and 'DERBY' Derby Is as much a banker as Man City we've no chance thus week, so hope it's Derby that let's my 3 down
-1

HALLSJ added 11:57 - Aug 29
Totally agree cornishnick, hope we're all wrong as it's my first game this season living in the potteries
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Superblue95 added 13:06 - Aug 29
To be fair we do have a good record against derby so that can give us some hope, but like others I don't feel overly confident
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tractorgrl added 14:43 - Aug 29
Thankyou Harry, I will now go and lie down in a dark room:(
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BSE78 added 15:52 - Aug 29
I think we will win 2-1 I will be there COYB
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ivandeighton added 16:07 - Aug 29
Work In Derby got to win this one it will be tough as I work with all rams fans just hoping we turn up or we will get a thumping
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RegencyBlue added 17:15 - Aug 29
Anything we get out of this one will be a real bonus!

If we concede early fear a real drubbing could be on the cards!
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NSL added 17:40 - Aug 29
Its easy to be fearful of thsi game, and the next . . . . . . and the next!!!!!
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statto added 22:31 - Aug 29
Have a bit more faith in the lads!! Yes the Rams are among the faves to push up
the table and so set a standard for this season - but I have a feeling we will be up for it and can snatch something here. COYB
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HarryfromBath added 00:08 - Aug 30
Many thanks everyone for chipping in with your comments. I apologize if the notes depressed everyone, especially after last week's result. This really was not the intention.

I think that we can get something out of the game, but only if we set ourselves up right and try and nullify their strengths. I hope that there is some fire in the team, that we meet them toe to toe and stop them getting into their rhythm.

If experience has taught us anything, it is that nothing is a given in this league and that games are often decided on tiny margins. One of their fans said that Mick will set us up correctly, and we can be confident in this. As Statto said above, let's hope that he and the team are at their belligerent best.
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