Nigel Clough sees the next two games against Swansea and Bristol City as a benchmark on how far on his team have moved since Paul Jewell left.   

Derby County v Swansea City

Coca Cola Championship

Tuesday 3rd March 2009

Pride Park, Derby

Speaking on Radio Derby he said;

"We've played teams in the last few weeks who are around us. But these two teams have got aspirations of challenging for the Premier League, so it'll be a different sort of game, and it'll be interesting to see how we fair against them."

His counterpart at Swansea, Roberto Martinez is wary of Clough's laid back attitude and commented;

"Nigel's done a fantastic job already, taken the pressure off so the players can enjoy football."

Swansea are sitting just outside the play off places at the moment and have done very well for a promoted club. It's all part of the plan to put Swansea in the Premier League. People may laugh but you have to admire the ambition of the club

Midfielder Nathan Dyer issued a rallying call after the Charlton game;

"If we believe in ourselves and keep working hard for each other it will happen, when we go 1-0 up like that we need to be more solid and keep the ball and be compact."

Even if the Premier League is still a way off for Swansea, they have their rivals Cardiff firmly in their sights trailing by only two points albeit having played two more games. To be above Cardiff would probably be better than any play off place to the average fan.

While Swansea have done well at home, they have struggled somewhat on the road winning only 4 of 16 games. It is this that's keeping them out of the play off place and hence the rallying cries.

I've been impressed with what I've seen of Swansea and their football and its clear Martinez is a manager to admire. The loss of Rams Target Ferrie Bodde has probably not helped the promotion push but they are a long way off being a one man team.

Tonight they will be without Darren Pratley, Garry Monk, Gorka Pintado, Marcos Painter and Ferrie Bodde.

Swans Facts

The Rams

Very much after the Lord Mayor’s show as many fans expected against Doncaster. A difficult pitch on t a Friday night on a Friday night against a good tight nit Doncaster side saw some of the old Frailties reappear.

Nigel Clough after the game;

"You get the lead and think, 'hang onto it for five or 10 and frustrate them' but we weren't able to do that due to defensive errors."

In a dour first half, both teams played the type of football you’d pay not to see. Derby were obviously missing in form Kris Commons and neither side looked capable of breaking down the other.

Then Savage scored his first goal for the club and you got to think that maybe we could smash and grab a victory.

It wasn’t to be and Stephen Bywater’s late howler was as much as Doncaster deserved. Nigel Clough said;

It's a harmless shot and Stephen misjudged the bounce, its 25 yards or 30 yards out and nine times out of 10 he would have saved it."

At least the Doncaster game put all talk of a late push to the play offs on the back burner. Mid table has to be the target for the foreseeable. The lack of Kris Commons exposed the paucity of the squad with injuries taking toll.

Commons is likely to be out for two weeks minimum and we seemed to revert to 4-4-2 with nobody playing in the hole that Kris Commons filled so well. Porter and Hulse just seemed to get in each others way.

If Nacer Barazite is fit, he could play n the Commons role behind Hulse or possibly Davies could take the role. We need some player to link the midfield and attack because for too often we looked to be lumping the ball as we did under Jewell.

Paul Green is expected to be fit tonight as is Barazite.

Mick’s team: Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Todd, McEveley, Teale, Savage, Green, Sterjowski, Barazite, Hulse

What the Bookies think

We are favourites at 7/5 while you can get 2/1 on the Swans. The draw is at 11/5.

Rob Hulse and Jason Scotland are favourites to score at 7/4 while Chris Porter is at 2/1 for his first goal. Robbie Savage is at 6/1 to repeat Friday’s exploits.

Information for travelling fans

Driving: It's nearly 200 miles to Derby from Swansea and not an easy driving route. It's M4, M5 and M40/42 to the M6 where the best route is the toll road to JT4 junction with the A38. Take the A38 north past Burton on Trent and on reaching Derby follow the signs for the football traffic. The best route is to stay on the A38 until you reach the A61 Junction then turn right until you pick up the A52 Brian Clough Way. The ground is on the right along here.

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative if you follow the above route is to head around Pentagon Island to the Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

Drinking: If you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.

Mick’s prediction

This will be a tough game and like Friday I’d probably take the draw now. It all depends on which Derby – and which Swansea – turn up.

Photo: Action Images

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