D.J's Match Preview: Rams Will Roll Rotherham To Be King Of The Heap!
Tuesday, 17th Feb 2015 12:37 by Daniel J Sewart

Start spreading the news - Derby are leaving today! This time on a trip that sounds much further than it actually is - as they head to 'New York Stadium'.

After being reduced to 10 men on Saturday in the Cup — the Rams produced a battling display but in the end came up short. Derby will be looking to put that result behind them against strugglers Rotherham United.

The Rams will welcome back many regular first team players after McClaren tinkered with the starting side on Saturday.

You can expect to see Hughes, Ward, Ince, Buxton & Grant to all regain their spots plus Lingard will have done his chances of retaining his spot no harm - after an impressive debut against Reading.

George Thorne is likely to once again make the bench and may have been robbed of a return appearance on the weekend courtesy of Stephen Warnock’s brain snap. I don’t expect George will be risked on this away trip - but we will not have to wait too much longer before McClaren allows him to dip his toe in the water.

For Rotherham — centre back Frazer Richardson was in some doubt for the clash but is likely to take his place after scans on his injured shoulder showed only bruising.

Conor Sammon will be ineligible to face Derby as part of the loan deal the club has in place with the Millers. The Rams though will not be able to avoid former players Paul Green & Ben Pringle who are both likely be in Rotherham’s starting line-up.

With Sammon out — Rotherham’s strike force look far from imposing on paper. Derbyshire is their leading scorer currently with a tally of 4 for the season. Derbyshire to score against Derbyshire — let’s hope not!

I expect the Rams to be too good for the Millers but the home team have won their last 2 home fixtures - including an impressive win over Ipswich. For that reason it would be advised to not take them too lightly as recent results will have the hosts believing they can get something from their high flying visitors.

The guile of Hughes in midfield plus the impressive recent form of Hendrick, Mascarell, Ince and Bent, is likely to prove too much for the home team to handle.

The standard option for many teams to counter the Rams ever improving football, is to try and stifle and then hit on the break. This of course must be done expertly as Derby will profit from any team who cannot keep up that discipline.

The Rams also seem to be improving at breaking the shackles of teams that try to shut them down with Hendrick, Hughes and Mascarell starting to form an impressive partnership that consists of hard running and quality passing.

Fact is Derby need to win this match and take advantage of Bournemouth only managing a draw on Saturday. Three points will put the Rams on top and despite there being plenty of football to play — now is the time for Derby to try and start opening a gap at the top of the League — especially with 3 consecutive fixtures against teams outside the top 10.

That gap will only become a reality if Derby manage to continue their consistent form and install a ruthless killer instinct — especially against teams placed lower than them.

For me it’s a Rams win at the 'New York Stadium' - Cup to be forgotten and top spot by 10pm. 'King of the heap, top of the hill' (one for younger fans to Google!).

Rotherham 1 v 3 Derby — Bent, Ince & Hughes to score.

If we can't make it there, we'll make it anywhere! (sorry I'll stop now!).

COYR!!

League Form / Match Stats:

Rotherham — 20th (L,W,D,W,L):

Rotherham have not defeated the Rams in their last 6 league clashes with their last victory coming in 2002 but did defeat Derby in a League Cup match in 2009.

Despite struggling this season - Rotherham have only lost 1 of their last 4 matches.

The Millers recent home form has been much improved with back to back victories against both Bolton & Ipswich.

Derby — 3rd (W, L, W, W, D):

The Rams have struggled to record an outright victory when visiting Rotherham with only 1 win in 48 years which was 10 years ago in 2005.

The Rams have only lost 1 of their last 9 in the Championship and won 3 of their 4 most recent matches on the road.