Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
G.M's League Cup Preview: Pace & Passing Must Return For Rams To Progress
Tuesday, 28th Oct 2014 12:20 by George Martin

The Derby coaching staff will have to decide whether Saturday's poor performance against Wigan is a blip or that a few players are lacking a little confidence and form.

Wigan made five changes on Saturday and their high energy midfield dominated. Fortune was a handful up front and like last year they stopped us playing and fully deserved their victory.

One of the main concerns is how opposition teams, in recent weeks, have let Whitbread and Forsyth have the ball knowing they will either just chip it or give it away when under pressure. They concentrate on blocking off supply and also stay close to Keogh, Christie, Bryson and Martin, who are more comfortable with time on the ball. I found the decision for McClaren to bring on Best for Eustace a strange one. It meant a change in formation and left us even more exposed. No one was having a good game, but Mascarell would have been the better option.

Derby knew they were not playing well and should have settled for draw and a point to keep the unbeaten sequence going. Instead it felt like we tried to snatch a victory and this back fired. Against Fulham, Roos will come in for the Cup tied Butland, who made a brilliant penalty save on Saturday, but will then be disappointed with Wigan's winning goal when he did not manage to parry the ball to the side, pushing it instead back into the middle for Wigan to scramble home. A poor goal to concede.

If Shotton is still not well, Buxton may come back into the starting XI. Mascarell and Hendrick will also be hoping for a recall and Dawkins could start for Ibe. It will be interesting to see if McClaren allows the players that were out of sorts against Wigan another chance. Personally, I would make changes and then have competition for places for the tough away trip to Brentford on Saturday, who have only lost once at home all season.

Fulham have had a mini revival under Symons and will be a totally different opposition, both mentally and tactically, compared to when we battered them 5-1 at the iPro a number of weeks ago.

They are now more organised and harder to beat. These positive results have brought confidence and players such as Parker, and Rodallega are showing the kind of form their wages suggest, culminating in a very good victory against Charlton in their last league outing.

This will be a tough game for the Rams, but they will be backed by over three thousand travelling fans. Hopefully Fulham will take the game to Derby and if we can defend better as a team then it could fall into our hands, with our pace and passing on the break as Russell, Dawkins/Ibe and Bryson bomb forward. The first goal and opening 15 minutes could be crucial. If Derby survives or scores early on the counter attack, then the confidence will be back after Saturday and the free flowing football should return.

However, with Derby at the top of the league and difficult trip to Brentford next, Derby's motivation may shift focus to gaining promotion. I hope I’m wrong, but I do wonder if this game is one too many and that a rejuvenated Fulham will have too much for what seemed like a shaky defence on Saturday.

Yes, we had gone 6 games without conceding, but anyone who went to Reading and Blackpool will wonder how that happened after the opening 20 minutes of each game.

I think Fulham will beat the Rams on this occasion, but I do hope I’m wrong.

Extra Time anyone?!


League Form / Match Stats:

Fulham - 20th (W,L,W,D,W):

Fulham have met The Rams in the League Cup at home twice this millennium. The clashes occurred over consecutive seasons in 00/01 (Fulham 3 v 2 Derby) and 01/02 (Fulham 5 v 2 Derby).

The Cottagers made it through to the 4th round last season and were dumped out by another midlands team in Leicester City.

Fulham have an impressive League Cup record at home with an average of 4.5 goals per match in their last 17.

Derby — 1st (W,D,W,W, L):

Derby got their first win in 8 matches against Fulham when they thrashed them 5-1 early this season in August.

The Rams lost their first match in 13 against Wigan on Saturday and conceded their first goal in over 600 minutes of football.


Last Time They Met:

Derby County 5 v 1 Fulham

iPro Stadium — 23rd August 2014


Classic Clash Video:

Derby 2 v 2 Fulham

Pride Park - 29th March 2008


Coach / Player Previews:

First team coach Paul Simpson previews the trip to Fulham.

Craig Bryson thinks Derby can continue to progress in the Cup.

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