G.M's Match Preview: Opening Day Win Will Help Heal The Heartache
Friday, 8th Aug 2014 15:43 by George Martin

After the heartache of a last gasp play off final defeat - Derby open the 2014/15 campaign against newly promoted Rotherham United.

The Millers should more or less fill the away end and with indications the south stand will be full for every home game, it is sure to be a cracking atmosphere.

Rotherham will come with a no fear, nothing to lose attitude and they have a number of new signings to choose from including ex - Ram Paul Green and ex - Red Matt Derbyshire.

More experience has arrived in the form of players such as goalkeeper Scott Loach, from Ipswich Town, central defenders Richard Wood, from Charlton Athletic, and Frazer Richardson, from Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, promising Chelsea midfielder John Swift has come in on a season-long loan. They also have play off goal scoring hero Alex Revell and ex - Ram Ben Pringle as the well established players in their side.

Derby have fitness doubts on Buxton, Whitbread and Naylor. Derby hope Buxton is fit, but if he is not Whitbread should provide ample cover depending on his reaction to a cracked rib suffered in recent weeks. If he is not fit, then Forsyth will have to come across to left sided centre back. Not great news that 3 or 4 defenders are not quite fit or carrying knocks.

I expect Eustace to be given the holding midfield role and Hughes to miss out starting on the bench. Experience against a new 'no fear' team like Rotherham will be invaluable, especially if injuries do cause a little disruption to the starting back four.

McClaren also has to choose who will fill the wide positions. Against Rangers it was Dawkins and Russell, as Dawkins had missed quite a few games through a niggling injury. I think McClaren will stick with this pairing and it will mean Ward will be on the bench. A good selection problem to have.

Although bookies and some fans are talking of automatic promotion, this is Derby County and we all know it can be a rollercoaster ride, with things not always going how they should.

Fans need to remember for one reason or another we have no Wisdom, Bamford or Thorne, but I do accept we were still playing well and in the play off spots before these players arrived. I just feel these players pushed us on and gave us the extra quality to go for automatic promotion; however, they are not there or not able to play (Thorne).

Personally, I would be happy with us being in the play offs, but yes, set the target of automatic promotion. Enjoy the opening game of the season. It is usually an entertaining one that provides a few goals. Hopefully these goals will be for the mighty Rams and NOT the Millers.

It would be great to get a win on the board to banish memories of that dreadful moment at Wembley back in May.

Last Time They Met (League):

The Championship February 2005 - Rotherham 1 v 3 Derby

The Rams and the Millers also met in 2009 in The League Cup - a clash that Rotherham won 2-1.

Opposition Player To Be Wary Of:

Derby fans will be nervous that both Paul Green & Ben Pringle are likelyu to line up against their old team. The record of ex-players scoring against us is sickening and hopefully Pringle doesn't unleash a strike like the one below!!