G.M's Match Preview: FA Cup A Great Leveller But Rams Should Go Through
Saturday, 9th Jan 2016 06:55 by George Martin

Derby will look to bounce back from their defeat at Boro when they travel to Hartlepool for the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

In their last outing Clement bizarrely change the formation in a bold move to win the game. Clement must have forgotten that Boro very rarely concede at home, never mind lose. It was naive and at least he was honest when he admitted he got it wrong, very wrong.

With two league game inside a week, Derby will look at making changes and underutilised squad players should start the game. Derby may also use this match to put some of the U21 players on the bench.

Grant should continue in goal with a possible Baird and Warnock combination in the full back positions. Fans know that Buxton will start so either Shotton or Pearce should be his partner.

Whether Derby will stick with a 4-3-2-1 formation or a more British 4-4-2 is anyone's guess. Possible starters are Hanson, Bent, Weimann, Bryson as well as new signings Blackman and Camara.

Players such as Bennett and Calero may also feature, and although still very young, it would be great to see academy striker Offrande Zanzala get a place in the match day squad.

League 2 Hartlepool are managed by the experienced miracle working Ronnie Moore who managed to stave off relegation for Hartlepool when they looked doomed.

Midfielder Jake Gray and defender Adam Jackson should start for Hartlepool after they recently extended their loan deals. They are struggling a little with injuries at centre and right back with Michael Duckworth and defensive midfielder Carl Magnay both out.

Billy Paynter in an experienced centre forward and will lead the line well as their top goal scorer this season with seven. Ex-Chelsea player Woods will look to get a hold of midfield and impress his former assistant manager, Paul Clement.

Prediction:

Due to the weather and flooded pitch Hartlepool have not played a game since December 19th. This will either mean they are off the pace or busting to play due to the 3 week gap between competitive matches.

Hartlepool are lingering just above the bottom of League 2, so even if Derby does rest a number of their normal starting eleven, you would hope they have enough quality to create chances and score goals.

However, this is the FA Cup and upsets do happen, for some bizarre reason it's a leveller. The lesser teams always run that bit further and try that bit harder.

Having said that, Derby should have enough class to go through and win the game 3-1.