G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams To Heap More Pressure On Battling Bluebirds
Saturday, 31st Jan 2015 12:39 by George Martin

Derby got back to winning ways in the league with a hard fought and important 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.

Derby were on the front foot for most of the game, but credit to Blackburn who put up a dogged fight and battled well. The change in the game occurred when Darren Bent came on to do what natural goal scorers do best. Be alert and alive in the 6 yard box, and put the ball in the back of the net by any means necessary.

It could, however have been a different story, but for a superb flying block tackle, by a lot of people's man of the match, Omar Mascarell who had by far his best full ninety minutes of the season. Grant also had to react quickly by diving full stretch to his left and flick the ball up and over the bar with the score at 1-0. A match winning save. Derby and Bent secured victory in injury time to send the home fans home happy.

Derby will travel to the much troubled Cardiff buoyed by this victory. The off the field antics of the home shirt colours, the club's badge and an over exuberant owner, did not help them in the Premier League and have continued to impact on the club and players as they attempt a return to the top flight.

Cardiff have not won in their last three games and their manager, Russell Slade, yesterday walked out the routine press conference when quizzed about their poor from and route one style of play.

Derby will have to be wary of this, as well as defending tightly from all corners, throw-ins and free kicks in the final third. Whittingham usually delivers good set pieces so it will be important not to give away silly free kicks or too many corners. Derby were unable to defend these earlier in the season - when the clash at the iPro finished 2-2.

Leader and centre half Ben Turner is out for up to 12 weeks will an ankle ligament tear so the home side will have to choose between Matthew Connolly or Bruno Ecuele Manga as a replacement, with the latter having recently been on duty for Gabon in Equatorial Guinea, in the African Cup of Nations. Gabon have now been knocked out and he was due back in training on Friday. He signed for £5m from French club L'Orient in September which is a large sum of money for the Championship.

Midfielder Stuart O' Keefe is likely to make his debut having been recently bought from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee. The likes of Tom Adeyemi, Joe Ralls and Federico Macheda could all come into Russell Slade's thinking as he looks to turn around his team's fortunes.

The manager himself described their second half performance against Reading last Saturday - as 'dire'. New signing Peltier will continue at right back and Revell will look to get on the score after signing recently.

Derby will be without Jonny Russell and John Eustace for up to the next 6 weeks. A little bit like before the Blackburn game, the main decision McClaren, Simpson and Steele will discuss is whether to start Darren Bent from the beginning.

It worked perfectly on Tuesday night with Derby gradually turning the screw and then bringing Bent on in the latter stages when defenders are fatigued and losing focus, allowing him to pounce.

I would be tempted to start with the same team and this would include keeping the assured Shotton at right back, especially with the aerial and set piece threat like to come from Slade's men. It would be very tempting to start Bent though, but it would mean tinkering with the formation. I can see the argument for both.

If fully fit, I would be also tempted to bring Bryson in for Hendrick as the Dubliner is just not in form at the moment. No surging runs, bobbling passes to team mates and three or four touches before he moves the ball on, demonstrated a lack of form and thus confidence. At times on Tuesday he was just a passenger as Hughes and Mascarell ran the show. He is trying hard, but it is just to clicking for him at the moment.

This should leave Martin as the lone striker with Dawkins and Ward joining him when Derby have possession. Bryson also links up very well with Martin and often runs beyond the centre forward to cause havoc in the opponents final third. This has not happened too much recently, but he does seem to be carrying a hip problem.

Derby does not have a good recent record against Cardiff and have not won at their place for 10 years. It is likely to be a tough opening spell, but if The Rams can start on the front foot and keep the home crowd quiet, then the game is there for the taking.

How Mascarell performs away from home for a full ninety minutes will be key, while Hughes will continue to pull the strings in midfield and Martin needs to be clever to find space and get on the ball. Ward has seen a lot of the ball since his return and is usually a constant threat.

If Derby get the ball down and play - it will hopefully be too much for an edgy team and under pressure manager to handle.

Derby to win 2-0 and Ward to score.

COYR!

League Form / Match Stats:

Cardiff — 13th (D, L, W, L, L):

Cardiff have not been defeated by the Rams in their last 7 clashes — the last time being back in 2010. You have to go back even further to find Derby’s last win in Cardiff which was in 2004 when they won 0-2.

Cardiff have lost 3 consecutive matches and 3 of their last 4 at home.

Derby — 2nd (W, W, W, L, W):

Derby has won 6 of their last 7 games in all competitions.

The Rams have been victorious on their last two road trips in the league.

The Rams have scored more goals in the first 45 than any other team this season with 24 to date.