Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
G.M's Match Preview: Rams Need To Be More Clinical At Valley
Tuesday, 19th Aug 2014 07:45 by George Martin

Derby will face another tough test in their second away game in the space of three days when travelling to The Valley.

After gaining a point against a much improved, well organised Sheffield Wednesday team, Derby will face another team who seem to have improved since last season.

Managed by 6'5" Belgium native and ex international Bob Peeters, The Addicks are unbeaten this season with an opening day draw against Brentford, a comfortable 4-0 against Colchester in the league cup and eye catching 2-1 home win against Wigan.

Charlton's main injury concern is to goalkeeper Henderson who was replaced by Pope with 25 minutes remaining against Wigan. Reports suggest Henderson will not be fit so understudy Pope will start his first game of the season.

From the outside Charlton seem a more organised, tactical aware outfit, who have more flair going forward, compared to last season, when the Rams comfortable did the double over them.

For Charlton, Moussa will be hoping for a start after scoring a massively deflected winner on Saturday. Look out for Jackson's quality in midfield and the goal scoring threat up front from Cousins.

Despite a good opening spell in South Yorkshire on Saturday, Derby's football was not at its flowing best. All credit to The Owls who pressed high all game and stifled most of Derby's attacks. Derby did not manage to dominate in midfield, Ward and Dawkins never managed to beat the full back and although I thought he had good control and deft touches, Martin was marked very tightly and he was sometimes a little isolated up front.

However, it would have been a completely different story had Russell put more power and conviction into his one on one with 15 minutes to play. A very frustrating 'casual' effort.

I would be tempted to put Ward over to the left where he is more dangerous and start Russell on the right for Dawkins. His turn of pace does cause defences problems and his diagonal runs from right to left are dangerous.

The centre of midfield does not seem quite right at the moment and although Hughes is doing a reasonably good job in the CDM role, there is not the balance for flow of last season. This may mean a first start for on loan Real Madrid signing Mascarell after he impressed when coming on as substitute on Saturday.

This may see Hughes make way, enabling Hendrick and Bryson to get close to Martin and make surging runs into the opponents final third.

Derby faces the slight pressure of being one of the promotion favourites this season, but are not now an unknown entity. Teams now play Derby knowing the players are good and opposition players and managers seem more aware of Hughes, Bryson, Martin, Russell and Hendrick.

This will make games like this more difficult and harder to score in. That is why, when half and clear cut chances come along, the team had to be more clinical.

Hopefully this will happen for The Rams against The Addicks, but I am going to go for a slightly cautious score draw.


Current Form / Stats:

Charlton ( 6th ): A draw on opening day, a win in the cup and an impressive home win over Wigan on Saturday.

Charlton has only lost once to the Rams at the Valley since 1998.


Derby (8th): Have had wins on opening day and in the League Cup but were held to a goal-less draw Away to Wednesday on Saturday.

The Rams are one of only 6 teams in the whole of the Football League to have not conceded a goal so far in the new season.


Last Time They Met:

The Rams triumphed over Charlton at the iPro on March 29th this year with an emphatic 3 — 0 victory with Bamford, Russell & Bryson scoring the goals.


Match Preview Video — The Captain:


Classic Clash Video: :

Charlton 3 vs. 4 Derby

The Valley - 14th January 1995

COYR!!




Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Derby County Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024