 Friday, 26th Nov 2010 21:28 by Mick McDermott The Swans fell last night and so did the snow but the game is on and Derby could rise to 3rd in the league if they can triumph at Turf Moor.
Burnley vs. Derby CountyTurf Moor, Burnley The npower Championship 27th November 2010, 15:30pm
Burnley v Derby – Historical: P 47 W 14 D 10 L 23 F 62 A 85
Last game at Turf Moor: 29/11/2008 Burnley 3 – 0 Derby County
Recent Form:
Burnley: 10/24 - P 18 W 6 D 8 L 4 F 28 A 22 Leading scorers: Iwelumo (9)
Derby: 4/24 P 18 W 9 D 3 L 6 F 32 A 21 Leading scorers: Commons (10)
The Rams: Words of wisdom from Johnny Metgod. Talking to BBC Radio Derby; "Maybe at the end of the day, maybe, just maybe, we might be near a top-six position, but we've only played 18 games so I don't even want to go there." "We've always kept our feet firmly on the ground when we've lost two on the trot, three on the trot, or even four on the trot." "The moment we step off it then we are an ordinary side, that's what we have to realise." He's right. There were a lot of nerves on display against Scunthorpe last week. The result was right but we made heavy weather of it. The sending off of Gareth Roberts made the last fifteen minutes interminable but we held on. Six wins on the bounce at Pride Park is a record. Can we get promoted? A lot of that will depend on what happens in January. Kris Commons for example still hasn't put pen to paper on a new contract - money is reported to be the issue. I know we have a policy in place but at the end of the day, fans pay to see players like Kris perform. He's said he wants to stay. Why not link his contract to his performance? At the very least a new contract will mean it costs more for someone to prise him from us next summer. The Derby Telegraph is reporting that Shaun Barker and Dean Moxey should be back. Barker missed the Scunthorpe win due to a one-match ban for reaching five yellow cards and Moxey was laid low by the sickness bug that hit Bailey, although he was among the substitutes. Barker's suspension gave him time to rest his troublesome knee. "As long as he is fit, he should be straight back in and we think he will be," said Clough.
Probable Team: Fielding Brayford Barker Leacock Moxey Bailey Green Cwyka Bueno Commons Moore SUBS - Bywater Andersen Pearson Pringle Kuqi Savage Doyle
Rams Squad: No. Position Player 1 Keeper Stephen Bywater 2 Defender John Brayford 3 Defender Gareth Roberts 4 Midfield Paul Green 5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain) 6 Defender Dean Leacock 7 Striker Steve Davies 8 Midfield Robbie Savage 9 Striker Shefki Kuqi (on loan from Swansea City) 10 Midfield Kris Commons 11 Midfield Stephen Pearson 12 Striker Chris Porter 13 Keeper Saul Deeney 14 Defender Russell Anderson 15 Midfield David Martin 16 Midfield James Bailey 17 Defender Jake Buxton 18 Midfield Ben Pringle 19 Striker Tomasz Cywka 20 Defender Miles Addison 21 Defender Dean Moxey 23 Striker Conor Doyle 25 Defender Mark O'Brien 26 Striker Callum Ball 27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid) 28 Striker Luke Moore (on loan from West Bromwich Albion) 30 Keeper Ross Atkins 34 Keeper Frank Fielding (on loan from Blackburn Rovers) 35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick 36 Defender Kallum Keane 37 Midfield Ryan Connolly 38 Midfield Medi Abalimba 39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Burnley Burnley has taken striker John Guidetti On-loan from Manchester City - apparently on the strength of a reserve game hat-trick he scored against them. He could make his debut with doubts over the fitness of Chris Eagles. Martin Paterson is also a doubt and Danny Fox misses out but Andre Bikey should be fit. Burnley have won only one of their lasts even games but are very good at home with all six wins coming at Turf Moor. They are very good at rescuing games in which they have gone behind so we'll need to be on our mettle. Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander is determined to shut Robbie Savage up tomorrow night. Speaking to the Burnley Express he said; “I think he’s a 100 per cent committed player. “There are players who get in your face and try to upset you but he’s good on the ball as well, he can pass a ball." “You don’t play 10-15 years in the Premier League without being a good player." A couple of familiar faces in the Burnley squad - Tyrone "Houdini" Mears and Lee Grant. Both players I thought who never got the chance they deserved at Derby - Hopefully we won’t see what we were missing from either.
Current Squad No. Position Player 1 Keeper Lee Grant 2 Midfield Graham Alexander (captain) 3 Defender Danny Fox 4 Defender Michael Duff 5 Defender Clarke Carlisle 6 Midfield Jack Cork (on loan from Chelsea) 8 Midfield Dean Marney 9 Striker Chris Iwelumo 10 Striker Martin Paterson 11 Midfield Wade Elliott 12 Keeper Brian Jensen 14 Defender Tyrone Mears 15 Defender David Edgar 16 Midfield Chris McCann 19 Striker Jay Rodriguez 20 Striker John Guidetti (on loan from Manchester City) 21 Defender André Bikey 22 Midfield Ross Wallace 24 Defender Brian Easton 27 Striker Alex MacDonald 30 Striker Steven Thompson 33 Midfield Chris Eagles 35 Defender Chris Lynch 36 Defender Nik Kudiersky 37 Midfield Chris Anderson 38 Midfield Alex-Ray Harvey 43 Striker Dominic Knowles 44 Midfield Michael King
What the bookies think: Burnley is favourites at 21/20 which is understandable given their home form. The Rams are at 5/2 while the draw is at 12/5. Chris Iwelumo is favourite for first scorer at 5/1 while Kris Commons and Martin Paterson are at 6/1. Luke Moore and Alberto Bueno are at 8/1 which are pretty good odds.
Information for travelling fans: Driving Plenty of time to get there with the late kick-off. Take the A50 to Stoke and the M6 north. Leave the M6 at J29 and take the M65 to J10. Follow directions fro Towneley Hall and you will pass the ground eventually. Parking The Crickey ground right next to Turf Moor is a good place to park otherwise go for street parking if you get there early enough. Drinking The Cricket ground is a good place to drink - especially if you park there. Other establishments recommended are the Queen Victoria, the Bridge Bier Huise or the Talbot. I have to say I've found Burnley to be a hostile place if you display colours in the town so be careful.
Mick's prediction: A televised game would be a good one for someone looking for more money on his contract to shine in - especially if Commons is as mercenary as some are suggesting. With Bueno and Cywka in the squad we have plenty of creative and attacking option so if they can shine we should score - we just need to avoid the soft goals conceded at the other end. I fancy a win. Burnley 0 - 2 Rams
Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Derby County Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.