G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams Require Patience To Maul Millwall
Saturday, 4th Oct 2014 11:41 by George Martin

An in form Derby will entertain out of form Millwall this afternoon at the iPro Stadium in what will be the third game in a week.

Derby will be beaming with confidence after a good performance and entertaining victory against a well organised and solid Bournemouth side. It was refreshing to see an away team try and play football and actually get into Derby's final third.

Much confusion and controversy surrounded Ward's goal, which the referee definitely gave, but then pulled play back to give a free kick and send Camp off for a handball out of the box. After what seemed like an age Bournemouth with down to 10 men and Derby had a free kick which Martin stung the post with.

Predictably and understandably Bournemouth sat back as Derby piled on the pressure. A superb reverse pass by Martin found Hughes just inside the box, who whipped the ball magnificently into the far top right hand corner! Martin sealed the victory in injury time after a superb diagonal ball found Russell who, for once, had an end product in the final third when putting in a great pass/cross.

On this occasion I am happy that my prediction of a score draw before the game, where I went with my head, was wrong. Derby deservedly moved into fourth place and currently sits one point off top spot.

There are no new injury concerns for Derby so the main decision will be on who partners Keogh at centre back, Whitbread or Shotton. Reports suggest Ibe will have recovered from his sickness bug in time to start on the wing while Hendrick will keep his place on the bench as he looks to build up his match fitness and sharpness after a one month injury lay off.

The coaching team may spring a surprise though knowing that Millwall will come to defend, keep 11 players behaving the ball and look to score from a set piece.

Could there actually be a start for Hendrick or Mascarell. Could Derby start with a 4-4-2 with Russell playing down the middle with Martin. Both scenarios are unlikely as McClaren will feel enough chances and opportunities will be created to win the game, but the coaching staff is not scared to tweak things on a match to match basis. Clever stuff.

Millwall started the season really well but there form has dipped in recent games with a confidence sapping 3-1 home defeat to Birmingham in midweek.

Ian Holloway is a great motivator and will have his team believing they can get something which they did last in when they won the game. They will be organised and Derby will have to patient when trying to break them down. Keep the ball moving. Keep the ball moving quickly and the gaps and opportunities will appear.

Fans need to not get frustrated by time wasting antics and poor referee decisions when negative away teams look for free kicks. That frustration can sometimes make its way onto the pitch. Be patient and it will happen.

Millwall have only won one in the last nine in all competitions and lost their last three away games. Therefore, the omens are good for Derby, but everybody thought this last year when The Lions turned The Rams over and took all three points.

Millwall have a selection problem at right back, but Forde is a good goalkeeper and they have experience in Dunne, Chaplow, Fuller and Upson.

Both fans and players will need to keep plugging away and the defence will have to remain focused. Hopefully no one will give away needless free kicks away in dangerous areas and opportunities will be created and taken at the Millwall end.

A first half goal would be great and may make Millwall come out and play a little more. Hopefully the quality and adventure of Ward, Hughes, Bryson, Martin and Ibe will be too much for The Lions and this time The Rams will gobble them up.

That's why I am going for a Derby home victory.

COYR!

Current Form / Match Stats:

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

After three consecutive 2-0 wins in all competitions, has the Rams flying high. They remain unbeaten this season from 7 matches at the iPro and will hope to defeat a struggling Millwall side, and maybe even top the table come 5pm Saturday.

In their last 8 clashes the honours are all square with the Rams having won 3, Bournemouth 3 and 2 ending all square.

Millwall — 16th (L, L, D, L, L):

After a poor recent run of results, the Lions are fast falling towards the foot of the table. A 1-3 loss at home to Birmingham midweek only compounded frustrations of fans and will need to be much improved to have any hope of upsetting Derby at home.

The Lions have barely been purring let alone roaring of late with only 1 win from their last 9 matches in both competitions.

Millwall has only won once on the road this season — which was against a struggling Fulham in mid August. Having lost their last 4 away matches, they arrive at the iPro in bad shape to take on a rampant Rams.

Last Time They Met:

Derby 0 vs. 1 Millwall — March 8th 2014: The Rams were unlucky to go down to a Lions teams hell bent on niggling and frustrating them. They succeeded in doing so, caught them on the break and got away with an old fashioned hit and run!