G.M's Match Preview: Rams To Get Past Preston In A Return To Winning Ways
Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2016 06:45 by George Martin

Derby will hope to put what was a disappointing January behind them as they welcome Preston to the iPro Stadium. This is a huge match for the Rams as they begin a month of must win fixtures.

After a very boring first twenty minutes against Manchester United during which Derby could barely get or keep hold of the ball, they gave the game a bit of a go but I personally still felt a little disappointed.

There were some good moves, but why it took until half time to work out we were twenty yards too deep and giving them too much respect, I will never know.

Derby huffed a puffed in the second half and Hendrick did well when he came on. He made more quality, accurate passes than the whole time Bradley 'un-droppable' Johnson was on. However, Manchester United deserved their victory and I always felt that even if Derby did equalise, they would just push the pedal and score again.

Blackman had another ineffective game so he may be dropped for Camara while Hendrick could come in for Johnson but Clement seems to be more bothered about what players do in training rather that what they actually do (or don't do!) in matches.

Olsson may start at left back to give more of an attacking threat but that would be harsh on Warnock plus it would also mean another change to the Captaincy.

Preston are a little inconsistent and lay three quarters of the way down the table. They have had some recent good results, like an away draw to Ipswich, and have also taken the scalps of Burnley and Hull in the month of December.

Preston boss Simon Grayson is expected to hand goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard his debut having signed him on loan from Manchester United. Captain Tom Clarke is back from injury but Jermaine Beckford is out with a knee injury. Going forward Johnson, Gallagher and Garner are the main threats with Gallagher being a threat from set pieces.

Prediction:

Derby' recent record against Preston is good, winning the last four encounters. If Derby still have any hope of challenging for the automatic spots they simple must win this game after a tough run and poor form in January put them off the pace.

There are now easier games coming or so they would seem on paper, with the likes of MK Dons and Rotherham coming up, Derby need to get back to winning ways and points on the board.

Derby to win 2-1 and Butterfield to score.