G.M's Match Preview: The Ram Is Hurt & Needs To Come Out Fighting!
Saturday, 14th Mar 2015 07:37 by George Martin

Derby travel to Carrow Road having not won in three games and a full week of football.

The Rams deserved nothing from Fulham, were unfortunate against Brighton and despite completely dominating the game versus Birmingham, were victims of poor defending, terrible refereeing decisions and a bizarre amount of added time to draw 2-2.

Thorne may make the bench, but it is surely too early for Martin despite him wanting to make the journey East.

Difficult decisions arise for the coaching staff on the back of a good performance, but heartbreaking result against Birmingham.

The back four could stay the same, but Shotton may come on for Christie. Bryson may come into the midfield role and Russell will continue in the loan striker position.

Derby needs someone to get close to Russell away from home and this could be Bryson. Despite not scoring, this worked well for 65 minutes against Brighton.

However, there is an argument for the starting eleven to stay the same despite the injury time goals last Saturday.

Norwich are the best I have seen at the iPro Stadium this season. Organised, compact and composed, the Canaries have worked their way up the league table and will have their say on the automatic promotion places.

Despite charging a ludicrous £40 for a championship fixture, Norwich will host over 1,700 Rams fans.

Norwich have an experienced goalkeeper and back four. Their midfield is full of energy and good footballers. In Grabon, Jerome, Redmond and Hooper they possess the pace, skill and goal scoring qualities to worry any team.

Norwich have been on a superb run of consecutive victories, but came unstuck against Wigan at home in a coupon busting score line. This shows they, at times, just like Derby, are vulnerable and beatable.

Derby needs to go with the game plan they used against Ipswich away 2 months ago. They absorbed pressure, played football when needed, waited for a mistake by the opposition and then pounced.

When Derby have had setbacks they have come out fighting. The Ram is hurt. The Ram needs to show its spirit, strength and quality.

This, on paper and due to the injuries, is a very tough game against a team that we have seen can be a very good side.

I do think Derby will put in a performance and play well. However, I'm not sure this will be enough and the sometimes inconsistent midfield and shaky defence will be opened up.

Derby to lose 2-1, but I do hope I am wrong.