G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams Can Create But Will They Find Net At Boro?
Saturday, 5th Apr 2014 01:06 by George Martin

Derby face a difficult trip to Middlesbrough, a ground where previous results have been inconsistent and Derby tend not to win.

McClaren will find it strange going back to a club where, although it ended negatively, he brought them success. Success they could only dream of now.

After a good performance and result against Charlton, I expect Derby to remain unchanged. Buxton and Keogh will have to keep a close eye on ex Ram Danny Graham and the pace and power of Adomoah could cause problems.

Hopefully the midfield trio of Hendrick, Bryson and Thorne will dominate and be a physical presence in midfield. The latter, Thorne, had probably his best game against Charlton, especially in the first half where he was comfortable on the ball and broke up many of their attacks.

This should give the time and space for the front trio of Russell, Bamford and Martin to cause Boro problems. I predict Derby to again create chances. Let's hope we find the net.

For Middlesbrough midfielder Dean Whitehead is suspended after being booked for the 10th time this season last time out against Brighton. They had a good 2-0 win, but Brighton were unlucky not to score and did create chances.

Derby will need to keep tabs on Leadbetter who will be a force in midfield for the home team while Jonathan Woodgate (calf), Daniel Ayala (ankle), Rhys Williams (Achilles) and Stuart Parnaby (knee) will all miss.

I expect this to be quite a tight game which will take one mistake or moment of quality to open the scoring.

My optimistic side thinks Derby are playing well, creating chances and will win the game. My more cautious side knows Derby do not have a great record there, having only won one in the last seven at The Riverside and would be happy with a point.

I hope my glass half full feeling is justified at 5pm!

We will see.

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Middlesbrough (13th): D, D, L, D, W

Derby (4th): D, D, W, L, 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, 1 past Ipswich in 34 seconds and 2 past Charlton in the first 45.

Steve McClaren has collected 56 points of a possible 81 points since taking over as Rams Head Coach.

Despite having kept 4 clean sheets in 5 matches, The Rams have only won 2 matches of their last 7, drawing 2 and losing 3.

Derby have not lost in the last 3 matches against Boro but the home team have won 6 of the last 7 at the Riverside Stadium. You have to go back to 2000 when The Rams triumphed by beating Boro on the road 4-1.

Boro have lost only 1of their last 6 games, winning 2 and drawing 3.