G.M's Match Preview: Will Derby Welcome 2014 With Win Over Wigan?
Wednesday, 1st Jan 2014 05:06 by George Martin

As we usher in the New Year, Derby face a resurgent Wigan team who are unbeaten in four games since new manager Uwe Rosler took charge. They have won two, drawn two, with a very respectable goalless draw at home to Burnley on Sunday.

Derby will again take confidence into the game buoyed by another victory away from home, this time at the expense of Barnsley. At times the football was superb and we seemed to be able to attack at will. In both halves, we also had to show grit and resilience to not concede.

The last few minutes of the ninety and four minutes of injury time were actually quite comfortable as Sammon held the ball up and Bennett chased down numerous balls into our left corner to win a number of throw-ins and corner kicks. Again, thoughtful and intelligent substitutions used at the right time by McClaren.

Like Huddersfield, I expect this game to be a stern test of Derby's resolve. It will certainly be a different Wigan team to the one we faced in the first half a couple of months ago. Wigan arguably has one of the strongest squads in the league. Fans should not expect Derby to just roll over Wigan as we managed to do to Blackpool and Doncaster.

Al-Habsi has returned in goal, their midfield which consists of McClean, McCann and McArthur, is hard working, tricky and plays good football. Going forward, Fortune, Powell and Holt posses speed, strength and quality to trouble any defence in the division.

Wigan can also call on the likes of Jordi Gomez and Espinoza to add flair when needed. Jean Beausejour should also return at left-back after missing out on Sunday through suspension.

For Derby, although Russell did reasonable well at times going forward against Barnsley, his defensive duties, especially in the first half, left Wisdom exposed to numerous attacks down the Derby right. If his hamstrings have loosened, I fully believe Ward will and should come straight into the starting eleven.

Wigan like to attack from wide areas so Ward and Dawkins will have to be on hand to again help the full backs and 'double up'. Russell will feel frustrated, but he will again have to bide his time as no one knows when the next injury or suspension will rear its ugly head.

Hendrick will be assessed again with regard to a concussion. It would be good to see him back on the bench as Eustace is surely starting to feel the pinch in his legs with so many games in such a short space of time while Hughes is probably still 'carrying' a tight groin. However, players and sports people always seem far less tired when they are playing well and their team is winning!

Derby should expect an organised, confident and resolute Wigan side that have all the qualities to cause any team problems. It was interesting to read Sean Dyche mention that during Derby's amazing run, we have only played one team in the top half. That was Blackpool. They were slightly under strength and we beat them 5-1 Sean! So much for that argument.

Seriously though, this will be a good test for Derby and one the players and fans should look forward to. We need to remember Wigan only came down from the Premier League last season after many years and they still possess the core of that squad.

We will not have it all our own way and the home crowd will need to chant, support and be patient, not groan when the odd passes and move goes astray.

There will be periods of the game where we will need to defend very well, be organised and resilient. At the other end, I honestly can't see how any team, in the form we are in, with the players we have, stopping us from creating chances and scoring goals.

This is a hard game to call. I for one will be hoping what happens on the pitch, helps me forget about the hangover I will be carrying off it and that I am called upon a couple of times to jump and/or stumble around when we score!

Happy New Year to all RamZone readers and good luck for 2014!

*Please Note: Before todays match there will be a tribute to well known writer and journalist Gerald Mortimer, who sadly passed away on Monday aged 77. A picture of Gerald will be shown on the scoreboard and a tribute will be read.

A writer of many fantastic Rams publications and journalist with the DET for over 30 years, Gerald was a very popular local identity and will be missed by all Rams fans.

RamZone would like to extend its condolences to Gerald's family and friends.

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Derby (2nd): W, W, W, D, W

Wigan (14th): L, W, W, D, D

The Stats That Matter:

The Rams are proven quick starters this season with 24 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes of matches.

Steve McClaren has collected 32 of a possible 37 points since taking over at Derby and now finds his team nestled in the top 2 because of it. Go Macca!

The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 48, as well as the best conversion rate per shots on goal.

The Rams will be looking to make it 10 games unbeaten having won 8 and drawn 1 of the last 9.

Wigan has only managed 8 goals on their travels this season which is the second worst in the League. At the same time they have only conceded 10 away goals — the second best in the League.

The Lactics are yet to be defeated under new Manager Uwe Rosler who took over from Owen Coyle in early December. But all good things must come to an end!