G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams Require Cool Heads To Test Tractor Boys
Tuesday, 25th Mar 2014 00:44 by George Martin

Derby will make the trip to Portman Road in a very confident mood after the 5-0 total demolition of Notts Forest.

I thought Derby were pushing for goals in the previous two games, but not in my wildest dreams would I have predicted 5-0 and the manner in which it occurred. What a great all round team performance against a side who lack, spirit, desire, skill or class.

Florist were embarrassing and the club should ashamed. The way Jimmy Cranky has conducted himself on his 'unfinished business' adventure has been farcical. The way they have treated previous managers O'Driscoll and McLeish was poor.

Forest - you DO NOT have a divine right to be in the Premier League because you won the European Cup 25 years ago! When will you get it! Billy has spent millions and it has all gone wrong. The guy is a lunatic. . . . And now Neil Warnock has turned you down.

Derby will have to do without the injured Dawkins who is carrying a groin strain and Ward who will miss with a hamstring strain. Both may miss up to two weeks leaving Bamford and Russell starting out wide and Martin up front.

Thorne took a nasty kick on his foot but seemed to play in through the pain barrier in what was a very accomplished and tidy debut. If he is not fit I suspect Hughes would come into replace him.

Ipswich will be buoyed by a very good victory against Brighton at the weekend to keep their play off hopes alive. Ipswich may hand a debut to Alex Henshall - a young winger who arrived on loan from Manchester City on Monday and could go straight into the starting line-up. Fellow winger Anthony Wordsworth could also retain his place after playing well at the weekend.

Murphy will lead the attack for Ipswich with Hunt and Chambers providing experience for the play off chasing team. Ex Wolves striker Ebanks-Blake will provide pace from the bench if needed late on.

In recent years Derby have won two out of their last three visits to Portman Road, but only one out of the last six both home and away, with the last victory coming in 2010.

Ipswich will be in confident mood, but on Saturday Brighton had chances to score with 22 shots on goal, of which only five were on target. If Derby can create similar opportunities and be clinical in and around the box, then there is not reason why we cannot win the game.

After the huge adrenalin pumping high of Saturday, this will be a difficult trip. Let's hope the players keep cool heads and produce a fine, professional performance. I would be happy with a draw.

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Ipswich (9th): W, L, W, L, W

Derby (3rd): L, L, D, D, W

The Stats That Matter:

After going 14 matches in which they only scored 1 first half goal, The Rams broke that drought in spectacular fashion by putting 3 past Forest in the first 45.

Steve McClaren has collected 53 points of a possible 75 points as Rams Head Coach and has only lost 2 of their last 10 matches.

Goals were not in short supply last time these sides met back in October as The Rams came from 1-4 down at half time to draw the match 4-4.

The Rams have only won 1 of the last 6 meetings since 2010. That single victory came on their trip to Portman Road last season.

One thing you never do against Ipswich is raise the white flag when losing as they have dropped 28 points after being in front in matches - more than any other Championship team.