D.J's Match Preview: Either Find A Spine Or Let Us Start Our Off-Season Early!
Saturday, 12th Mar 2016 06:01 by Daniel J Sewart

Every time we think The Rams are starting to build, they just as quickly prove to still not be structurally sound and collapse before our eyes.

A few weeks ago this Saturday’s fixture looked like the fourth of four very winnable fixtures before the visit of Forest, since then Derby has lost 2 and won 1. Now they find themselves heading to a resurgent Rotherham who have won their last 3 under newly appointed manager; Neil Warnock.

Whatever your opinions on Warnock, it’s amazing what introducing an experienced manager can do for a struggling group. Sorry? Me hinting at something!? Never!!!

It seems typical that when the Rams need to build confidence they would meet a team, who despite still sitting in the relegation places, have just beaten high flying Middlesbrough and sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday.

But in saying that you cannot bemoan luck or timing as it is well and truly crunch time for DCFC. These players need to find a spine, stand up and show whether they do or don’t want to be a part of the upper echelons of this league.

If it is not the case that the players want to really dig in and show the desire, fight and passion we have seen from all of them at one time or another, they should let us know and we fans can do the same by starting our off-season early and save both money and unnecessary pain.

The fact that these players have all been stars at this level either for Derby or other clubs, tells us that something is wrong either in the mix of the group, the coaching of the players or something higher up.

Whatever the case it is time to dig deep and if nothing else have some personal pride!

How much do you really want to succeed in your footballing career?

How much would you like the chance to play top flight football?

What is holding you back from putting aside the unseen issues that have crippled this team and just proving to one and all that you are still worth your place on the pitch!?

Despite our head coach saying some purely ridiculous things in recent weeks, such as the team’s effort was ‘good enough’ in the second half at QPR, it seems Darren Wassall has reconsidered his positive presentations of late.

In his interview with the media on Thursday he said he was ‘angry’, his team needed to show more ‘character’ and players will need to earn their shirt.

Perhaps his plan of using positivity to revive the team may have had its day, whatever problems he needed to solve behind closed doors will no longer be used as an excuse and he has now drawn a line in the sand. I hope so as tough love may be the only way to spark this group back to life.

Is Wassall experienced enough to deliver this type of management? I hope so but like most fans, I have my doubts. Nothing against Darren but I feel this would be best handled by a proven manager who has been there and done that before.

I would love him to prove me wrong though, as no matter what, the poor bastard is a loyal servant of DCFC and has been thrown in the deep end of a pool filled with sharks and a lead weight tied around his neck.

But enough of my ranting, there is football to be played today.

I can’t help but feel that a canny operator like Warnock will take advantage of The Rams faltering confidence and tell his team to attack them mercilessly early, get the home crowd roaring, smell the fear and go for the kill. They are high after 3 massive victories and suddenly seeing an escape hatch from which they can exit the relegation places will be all the incentive they need.

If the Rams don’t impose themselves early (I feel like this may have been written before… like every single week since January), then the home team may run away with this and rub the visitors nose in their troubles.

On the pitch it has to be Martin up front — he has shown a bit lately but needs more service and support or he may just crawl into a hole and sulk. Plus he had better be careful as he is the only ex — Captain that Wassall hasn’t shipped out.

In the midfield I think Hendrick, Bryson & Hanson. I am not a member of the Jeff Hendrick fan club but he if he wants to bring it, he has the presence and ability to impose himself on a match, something Butterfield isn’t as natural at doing. Wassall needs to insult Jeff’s loved ones, slap him in the face and kick him in the arse as he runs on, to try and get the best out of a truly talented player who only seems to turn it on once a month.

Bryson is coming back to full fitness and deserves his spot as he is starting to make the runs and moves we know he can produce at his best. Hanson has to keep Thorne out as every time George has been on the pitch recently he has been terrible, a talented player yes, but let him get his touch back in the U21’s as Jamie has been doing well and will offer more in what could turn into a scrap.

Out wide I would go with Russell & Johnson (who also needs to be kicked in the arse immediately after Hendrick) as both are fighters on their day and it’s last chance saloon for Derby. They need to be up for it and must be willing to be physical early and get in and between their opponents attacks while trying to create in the opposite direction.

I am not really convinced by any of our wide players of late and have only gone this way based on what I see as required physicality but Ince and Butterfield are just as likely to start.

And what about Blackman? Unless he starts up top with or without Martin, for me he doesn’t start. Playing the poor bloke everywhere but in his proper position has to stop as if things continue this way, in the future he may blame DCFC for ruining his career prospects.

If I had any belief that Wassall may use Camara or even Calero, I would throw him in immediately. I don’t know what Calero is doing in training but what we little we have seen of him showed pace, a willingness to get in crosses and pretty much a bloody lot more overall than we have been seeing from the players picked over him regularly.

But I don't expect it to happen as he played for the U21's last night - so it pretty much sums up where he is at.

Things will remain the same at the back but my kingdom for a Warnock. I understand Wassall is looking to the future but can’t we do that in the future, instead of a present that has us in the playoff positions!? He was our most consistent, passionate player for much of this season and we could really use him again now.

But that’s not going to happen, just another Captain lost at sea, so expect the usual suspects who let in 2 at QPR. Would love to see Bucko cracking some bones to add some passion and bite…. but again I don’t expect it to happen.

Carson in goal. He has been good and is consistently been let down by those in front of him making his life so much harder than it deserves to be. His goals conceded stats at seasons end will not accurately reflect how good he has been.

Moving onto our opposition, until recently the Millers don’t score much and conceded a lot but then a guy named Neil Warnock sauntered in. After initially drawing 1 and losing 2 of his first 3 in charge, he has seemingly turned things around with 3 impressive victories.

Rotherham have managed 4 goals in their last 3 wins while having stopped leaking goals, only letting in 1 against Bristol. A bottom 3 team keeping prolific teams like Boro & Wednesday scoreless can only be applauded.

The Millers will be forced into making some changes with Grant Ward likely to be brought in to replace Greg Halford who will miss due to suspension. Stephen Kelly is also likely to receive a call up with Frazer Richardson picking up a hamstring injury.

Prediction:

I really fear for Derby in this one. The team just can’t get it together and unless Wassall finds a miracle cure soon, the season will just fizzle out whether we make the playoffs or not.

My head says 2-1 to Rotherham, my heart says a scrappy 1-1 draw, and my desperate need for a miracle says 1-2 to the Rams.

I’ll settle on Darren getting his first draw. 1-1 with Martin to score.