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Preview - Derby County v Blackpool
Preview - Derby County v Blackpool
Wednesday, 18th Feb 2009 11:32

What with games against Forest and Manchester United coming thick and fast, it's easy to let a game against a 'small' team like Blackpool drop through the cracks in the pavement.

Derby County v Blackpool
Coca Cola Championship
7:45 pm, 18th February 2009
Pride Park Derby

That would be an insult to Blackpool and also  against Nigel Clough and his staff. This tie against Blackpool is far more important than last weeks game against Manchester United as League survival is at stake. The cup is just an aside.

Blackpool are doing far better than most of the pundits predicted. Despite the loss of Simon Grayson to Leeds, the club are still clear of the relegation zone and have won 5 games away from Bloomfield Park.

Travelling fans will remember that despite the 3-2 Scoreline, Blackpool always looked in control when we played them back in October. The Neanderthal looking Burgess was far to much for the frail Derby Defence to deal with. Despite appearances, Burgess is actually far from Neanderthal and is studying to be a journalist.

Caretaker boss Tony Parkes is under no illusions as to what Blackpool's main goal is. Speaking after the recent draw at Ipswich he said;

"We're very pleased with the point. We defended really well, showed our togetherness and deserved it. To get a point here was a good achievement and now we're one point further away from the bottom three, which is the name of the game for us."

Parkes will be missing loan midfielder Charlie Adams who is suspended. Ex-Ram Ian Evatt will likely start on the bench.

Blackpool Facts

No.  Position Player 
1  Keeper Paul Rachubka 
2  Defence Danny Coid 
3  Defence Stephen Crainey 
4  Midfield Keith Southern 
6  Defence Ian Evatt 
7  Striker Roy O'Donovan (on loan from Sunderland) 
8  Striker Stephen McPhee 
9  Striker D. J. Campbell (on loan from Leicester City) 
10  Midfield Stuart Green 
11  Midfield David Vaughan 
12  Midfield Gary Taylor-Fletcher 
13 Keeper Mark Halstead 
14  Midfield David Fox 
15  Defence Alex Baptiste 
16  Midfield Claus Bech Jørgensen 
17  Defence Jermaine Wright 
18  Midfield Joe Martin 
19  Striker Krisztián Németh (on loan from Liverpool) 
21  Keeper Matthew Gilks 
22 Midfield Graeme Owens (on loan from Middlesbrough) 
24  Defence Rob Edwards 
25  Defence Shaun Barker 
26  Midfield Charlie Adam (on loan from Rangers) 
27  Striker Ben Burgess 
28  Midfield Paul Marshall (on loan from Manchester City) 
29  Midfield Matty Kay 
31  Striker Danny Mitchley 
33  Striker Brett Ormerod 
34  Midfield Francesco Carratta 
Last 5
Blackpool 2-0 Birmingham
Blackpool 0-3 QPR
Palace 0-1 Blackpool
Blackpool 2-3 Doncaster
Ipswich 1-1 Blackpool
Leading Scorers
Burgess 6
Gow 5
Taylor-Fletcher 5
Campbell 4
Dickinson 4
Games since...
Clean sheet 2 
Goal 0
Loss 1 
No score draw 9 
Score draw 0
Win 2

The Rams

Derby are one place below Blackpool and echoing Tony Parkes, Nigel Clough has set survival in the league as his first target;

"The club has had a rough 18 months and it's just a matter of slowly building up confidence again. Let's get safe. We need at least another five wins to get to that 50-point mark."

Wise words and something the fans need to think about. Take out the Manchester United games and the heroics at the city ground and you have a very poor season so far for the Rams. Recent form in the league has been okay with two league victories but we're a long way from out of the woods yet as Clough says.

Part of the improvement is a return to form of players classed as hopeless under Jewell. Gary Teale, Rob Hulse ... these players have really stood out in previous games. Now another couple of players with sullied reputations are getting their chance. Jay McEveley and Stephen Pearson are both back in the frame and McEveley looks likely to get the nod on Jordan Stewart.

We now seem to have the backbone of a team with Bywater solid in goals, Addison And Albrechtsen at Centre half, Savage and Green in midfield while Commons & Hulse seem to be hitting it off up front. If Clough can get the peripheral and squad players to perform to the same standard, the 50 points may come up sooner than anticipated and then a relaxed team can really go forward and see what can be achieved in the remaining games.

Can I see a light in the tunnel for us fans? Well maybe a dim glow!

Mick's Team Bywater, Connolly, Addison, Albrechtsen, McEveley , Pearson, Green, Savage, Teale, Commons, Hulse

What The Bookies Think

Derby are strong favourites for this at 5/2 while Blackpool are only at 7/2. The draw is at 12/5.   Rob Hulse is a 5/4 favourite to score while new boy Chris Porter is at 7/4 for a League debut goal.

For Blackpool. D.J. Campbell will get you 2/1 suggesting the Derby defence needs to keep hm very quiet.

Information for travelling supporters

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.

Driving: Preston to Derby is about 120 miles. Take the M55 to the M6 then head south until J16 or J15 (not much in it) then A500 to the A50 through Stoke. Follow the A50 to Derby and stay on it until the turn off for Alvaston. There will be traffic around Alvaston however if you stay on London Rd you can get to the parking areas described below.

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 is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island. Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

Mick's Prediction

This could be a tougher game than people think and with the fans seemingly  focussed on the trip to the City Ground on Saturday, you have to hope the team turn up. Blackpool are a hard side to beat but these are the type of game we have to win to stay in this league. Crosses fingers and hopes for a win.

 

Photo: Action Images



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