D.J's Match Preview: Lights, Camera, Action - Rams Ready To Bounce Back!
Friday, 10th Jan 2014 08:06 by Daniel J Sewart

Steve McClaren was quick to underline that his team should not feel dispirited after their fighting defeat to the might of Chelsea, a point he has no doubt spoken about a lot this week to ensure that their heads do not drop after two consecutive defeats.

The mind is a funny thing and in everyday life our confidence along with our insecurities can be hidden away from view but in the world of sport, it is often on display for all to see.

So often when a player or team is on a red-hot run, as soon as the bubble is burst, it can either prove to be a blip, a stumble or trigger a capitulation. For The Rams sake, let’s hope history will show it was but a blip!

Despite the fact that Wigan executed a pretty shabby plan to strangle Derby’s game, fact is the Rams did enough in the last 20 minutes of the game to not just draw but win. If one of those missed chances had gone in, it seemed as if the Rams would run over the top of the Lactics. Unfortunately without the goal, that feeling came to nought!

In turn, in their FA Cup clash Chelsea looking superior in skill, the Rams created chances and let themselves down when it came to finishing things off. Nerves no doubt played a big part as often the players were jumping at shadows when on the ball instead of creating play as they have done so well, so often this season.

When they attacked the Premier League outfit, they often looked dangerous especially when Bennett entered the fray and ran at them at every opportunity. It would have been good to see Dawkins and Ward doing the same with more intent during the 70 minutes that came before Mason's introduction.

With those games behind us we head to our second best local rivals Leicester this weekend. Once again under the spotlight with a prime time TV audience sitting down to watch a Rams team under the spotlight (lots of them!), hoping to put defeat behind them and resume their winning ways.

The fixture has not been helpful by dishing up the runaway top side of the League as the 3rd match in 7 days but it could be just the medicine required, if McClaren has his chargers heads in the right place.

If The Rams take this as an opportunity to make their mark in the League, attacking and harassing the Foxes in the way they had for 9 games prior to Wigan, then there is no doubt they are good enough to win.

Leicester, like the Rams, has no problem scoring goals but have been shaky at the back. If Derby can stay solid in defence then this will be the key to the match as there is no doubt they will create chances at some stage, the stats more than prove that, the important part will be execution.

If the Rams can have one of those days where the ball seems to go into the net with ease (see Millwall), rather than not go in no matter what you do (see Wigan & Chelsea), then a Rams victory is on the cards.

For me Bryson is the key to the team and if he is fit to return, then the Rams can nick this but if he is not back in the squad, despite Hendrick looking solid, Leicester may just get hold of Derby and show them why they are sitting at the pinnacle of the Championship.

Encouragingly the club are suggesting that Bryson will return with only Keogh and Russell unavailable as they recover from their respective injuries.

Mason Bennett may get another chance to start after a barnstorming cameo against Chelsea and it will be interesting to see if new loan signing Patrick Bamford makes an appearance during the match. I wouldn’t expect a starting position but the bench would seem likely for the Chelsea youngster.

The Blues will not have sent him to Derby so he can warm the bench after withdrawing him from regular first team football at MK Dons. The only conclusion myself and most fans are coming to, is that Bamford will become the new Sammon but perhaps find more playing time than the ‘Super Fish’, who is rotting away as a sub and will surely soon be snapped up by a suitor in need of a front man looking for more game time (Hello Nigel!).

For the Foxes, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Danny Drinkwater, Ignasi Miquel and Matty James have all been carrying injuries of late but all should be in the squad for the match.

Talented New Zealand international striker Chris Wood has been in full training after missing over four weeks of football but at best may find a seat on the bench.

Like Derby the Foxes have been in red hot form and have not lost since December 7th when they went down to Brighton. Having won their last 4 and unbeaten in 5, their form line is very similar to Derby’s in the Championship.

In that period of time they have lost two Cup matches having gone down to Premier League opposition Man City in the League Cup and Stoke over the weekend in the FA Cup.

Both teams will be looking to put their Cup defeats behind them and keen to get back to the form that finds both of them in the higher reaches of the League table.

Leicester is a better team on paper and has been near unbeatable at home recently, so a betting man would expect them to take the points.

As I am not a betting man (well not often anyway), if McClaren and his staff have done their jobs this week, the Rams will come out breathing fire looking to regain their pride and silence any doubters who think they are pretenders who can only beat up on those lower on the table.

Expect to see eyes bulging and steam exiting from the ears of the Derby players as I think they will hit the home team hard, showing why they are the best first 45 team in the League. Giving them a good whack on the nose to stun them early and silence the crowd, will be imperative if the Rams are to win.

I think the Rams will get ahead early and hang on for at least a point but for my prediction I am going to stick my neck out and tip a victory.

Derby has just a little more to play for than the Foxes and I think we will see that intensity on the pitch.

Score Prediction: Leicester 1 — 2 Derby

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Leicester (1st): D, W, W, W, W

Derby (4th): W, W, D, W, L

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 40 points since taking over at Derby.

The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 48, as well as the best conversion rate per shots on goal. The second best tally in the League is held by their hosts with the Foxes managing 42.

Until their defeat at home on New Years Day - The Rams went 9 games unbeaten with 8 wins and 1 draw.

Leicester has already beaten the Rams twice this season having won 1-0 at Pride Park in August and 2-1 in the 3rd Round of the League Cup in September.

Derby have had a bit of a problem getting over the Foxes in recent years having lost 7 of their last 8 encounters. Last years 2-1 win at Pride Park is the only one since 2010.

Leicester have not been beaten at home in 9 matches while the Rams have not beaten them on the road since their top flight clash in 2002. Despite that hoodoo, the Rams bring the best away record in the Championship to the King Power stadium, having won 8, drawn 2 and lost 2.