G.M's Match Preview: Rams Must Pip Cherries To Set Up Top Two Tilt!
Saturday, 22nd Feb 2014 03:24 by George Martin

Derby welcome AFC Bournemouth to the iPro Stadium this afternoon, in what could be a tight but potentially entertaining fixture as both teams like to get the ball down and play football.

Derby were slightly fortunate against an in form Sheffield Wednesday side but fantastic defending and one piece of pure class by Bamford, secured a valuable three points.

It was a sticky pitch and although Derby had one or two bright moments, we never really got going. Despite that fact, it was great to see the coaching team decide to bring on Sammon in yet another positive move. This win keeps the pressure on the more fancied automatic promotion sides and maintains the gap on the teams chasing a top six spot.

Bournemouth gained a good draw at home to Burnley in their last outing and were unfortunate not to win, while in their last away fixture they also drew with Bolton.

Derby fans will recognise some of the names in The Cherries side with Lee Camp in goal, ex Leeds man and set piece specialist Ian Harte will start at left back and Danny Pugh, who was once linked with Derby during the Clough era, will try and weave his magic out wide.

Up front they will probably start with two million plus signing Tekelo Rantie. He is a South African international but has struggled to find goals and form since his surprise big money move at the start of the season. He will be partnered by the quick and strong Grabbon while Pitman could provide experience from the bench.

Bournemouth has settled into the Championship well and has so far avoided being dragged into the relegation dog fight. They tend to pick up important points when it matters which should see them book another season in The Championship next campaign.

For Derby, Jamie Ward and Craig Bryson will face a late fitness tests and whatever the results for Ward, I would be tempted to start with Russell. He has done very well in his last four substitute appearances and is really fighting for a starting place.

If he is not fit, Bryson's energy would be a blow, but we have an ideal replacement in Hendrick. A different type of player, but his passing ability will hopefully allow the wide players and full backs to 'get in behind' and cause the opposition problems.

Form, statistics and home advantage all point to a home victory but Bournemouth will be no pushover. Again, I feel scoring first and doing everything possible to gain another valuable clean sheet will culminate in a Derby victory and set up a massive encounter next Saturday against Burnley.

However, all the focus for now must be on beating Bournemouth.

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Derby (3rd): D, W, D, W, W

Bournemouth (15th): D, W, L, D, D

The Stats That Matter:

The Rams were proving to be quick starters this season with 25 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes of matches up until their last 9 matches during which time they have only managed 1.

Steve McClaren has collected a whopping 46 points of a possible 60 points since arriving at the Rams.

The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 59.

Derby is unbeaten in their 6 league matches including 2 draws and 4 wins. Derby has won 7 of their last 8 home matches. Bournemouth have won only 1 match this year so far and only kept a clean sheet once in the last 25 matches, which bodes well for The Rams. Bournemouth have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 away fixtures.