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Mick's Match Preview - Derby vs. Doncaster
Mick's Match Preview - Derby vs. Doncaster
Friday, 19th Aug 2011 14:01 by Mick McDermott

Three straight wins at the start of a season? To find four, you need to go back to the days of Steve Bloomer & Co. There can't be anyone alive who has seen the Rams win their opening four fixtures.

 

Derby County v Doncaster Rovers      

Pride Park Stadium, Derby

3pm - 20th August 2011

 

 

 

Doncaster Rovers - The Rovers

Last season proved to be Rover’s most difficult season in the Championship so far. Despite the signing of Billy Sharp, the season was plagued by injuries to key players, as well as poor form (apart from when they played us).

They survived; however, this season looks to be shaping up in similar fashion. Without a win other than the Carling Cup win over Tranmere, The Rovers are currently bottom of the league.

Worse - their injury curse seems to be continuing with record signing and top scorer for the last two years, Billy Sharp, and fellow striker James Hayter, both stretchered off with leg injuries during the defeat at Brighton.

This was followed by on-loan Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason suffering an ankle injury that should sideline him for several weeks. They also have half a dozen or so other injured players ... They may be picking players from the stand at his rate.

Early days, but it has to be worrying for Sean O'Driscoll. On Tuesday, the Rovers lost by the odd goal to a shot-shy Forest - and the BBC match report says;

"The result was harsh on Sean O'Driscoll's men, who were the better side for large periods."

James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett went close for Rovers and the midfield John Oster, Simon Gillett and Giles Barnes were in command before Forest scored against to run of play.

Despite having several chances, Rovers couldn't get back in the game.

Some of you will now be saying; "Giles Barnes?" - Giles is now playing for Doncaster, having signed a six-month deal after a successful trial.

As cover for injuries, O'Driscoll has moved in the loan market and borrowed 18 year old striker Milan Lalkovic from Chelsea for an initial month. Depending on clearance, he may make his debut tomorrow.

 

Current Donny Form

P 3 W 0 D 0 L 3 F 1 A 4

 

Leading Scorer:

Sharp, Bennet, Brown, Mason (all 1)

 

Past games

Historical at Derby:

P 9 W 5 D 1 L 3 F 14 A 8

We've not played Rovers that many times though they've become something of a bogey team given that they've won their last three league visits to Pride Park - The fact is, you have to go back to the 80's for a home win over them for the Rams.

In the last game, Derby dominated much of the first half only to concede to Billy Sharp before and after the break. When Mill scored the third, many Rams headed for the exits so few remained to see Davies' late consolation.

 

Last game:

Derby County    1 - 3    Doncaster Rovers  (Davies) - 1/3/2011

Rams:

Fielding, Green, Barker, Ayala, Brayford, B Davies (Cywka 62), Addison (Pearson 57), Savage, Ward, S Davies, Robinson (Bueno 52).

Rovers:

Woods, Sharp (Kilgallon 74), Stock (Wilson 74), Oster, Friend, Mills, Thomas, Hird, Keegan, Moussa (Gillet 81), Shiels.

 

Current squad

No.  Position. Player

1  Keeper Neil Sullivan

2  Defender James O'Connor

3  Defender George Friend

4  Defender Shelton Martis

5  Defender Richard Naylor

6  Defender James Chambers

7  Midfield Martin Woods (vice-captain)

8  Midfield Brian Stock (captain)

9  Striker Chris Brown

10  Striker Billy Sharp

11  Defender Adam Lockwood

12  Striker James Hayter

13  Striker Ryan Mason (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

14  Defender Tommy Spurr

15  Midfield Mark Wilson

16  Midfield John Oster

17  Midfield Giles Barnes

18  Midfield Simon Gillett

20  Defender Oscar Radford

21  Defender Sam Hird

23  Midfield Kyle Bennett

24  Defender Mustapha Dumbuya

25  Midfield James Baxendale

26  Midfield James Coppinger

29  Defender Rachid Bouhenna

30  Midfield Paul Keegan

33  Keeper Gary Woods

 

Rovers Injuries or Suspensions

Sharp, Hayter and Mason are all injured as are O'Conor, Chambers, Woods, Stock, Lockwood, Martis & Wilson ... Nearly as bad as us!

 

How to get there - Pride Park

Take the M1 south to J25. Take the A52 Brian Clough Way towards Derby. You should see the ground on the left as you enter the city.

Parking

There is not a great deal of parking available close to Pride Park. The best bet is to either park in the city centre (lots of signposted car parks) or the Cattle Market Car Park.

Stay on the A52 to the Pentagon Island, take the first left and follow the road round to the left. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the Stadium.

There’s also a car park straight off the A52 at the Pride Park junction by the fireplace showroom however it’s a pain in the arse to get out of after the match. If you are looking for free parking head for Ascot Drive off the A6 and park down one of the side streets.

Where to drink

There are a few pubs and Eateries near the ground but not all admit away fans showing colours these days. The Navigation Inn on London rd has always been popular with away fans and there’s a Harvester and Frankie & Bennies on Pride Park.

The natives are friendly as long as you aren’t being an arse.

Near the station you have the Merry Widows and the Crown that are adequate however if you turn right out of the station you have the Brunswick & Alexandra pubs both of which serve real ale.

 

Mick’s Prediction

The first two wins of the season were tempered by the fact that they book-ended the poor performance against Shrewsbury. In both games, we had some luck and didn't play that well or create that much - but we won. The cry was; "We'll play better and lose".

The reports and comments of people who went to Blackpool say we did play better - and we didn't lose.

The players being singled out for praise are Shackell, who is looking to be the rock we need at the back, O'Brien who is no nonsense centre half - and Hendrick who seems to have slotted into midfield like a veteran.

Two of the above have been forced on Clough by injuries and it will be interesting to see what he does when some of the injuries return. He doesn't want to burn out young players but equally, he doesn't want to break a winning team dynamic. Hopefully he's learned a bit about managing the players since last season.

The majority of fans point to Shackell as a calming influence at the back. One commentator said that it would be difficult for Barker to come back in as captain at the moment given the job that Shackell is doing. Another said that the deep alarm he always felt at seeing the ball dropping towards our area has gone.

Shackell is working well with O'Brien - constantly talking and ensuring he's in position. Just what you need for centre-half - think Mark Wright, Igor Stimac?

So, cautiously optimistic we'll bury our losing streak against Rovers. We've lost our last three home league games to them - mainly because of the bane of DCFC that is Billy Sharp.

Sharp will be missing, so hopefully we can take the points in this game.

One worry will be the returning Giles Barnes. Giles has not had the best of luck with injuries since Wembley and his career has stalled somewhat. This may be his last chance to prove that his talent is not going to be wasted - and I hope he does prove it - just not at our expense.

Rams 3-0 Rovers

Can the Rams make it 4 on the trot?

Why not join the RamZone Forum by clicking on the link above or our Facebook page and give us your thoughts!

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Photo: Action Images



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