Mick's Match Preview - Derby vs. Burnley Friday, 22nd Apr 2011 12:04 by Mick McDermott After an impressive performance on the road the Rams return to Pride Park hoping to repeat the heroics of their last home game. A win will mean safety and for that reason alone Derby will be desperate to get the points. Derby County vs. Burnley Saturday 23rd April 2011 Pride Park - Derbyshire Rams v Burnley - HistoricalP 46 W 28 D 9 L 9 F 92 A 46
Last game at Pride Park Saturday 4th April 2009: Derby 1 - 1 Burnley; Connolly
Current Form
Burnley 9/24 P 42 W 17 D 12 L 13 F 59 A 56 Leading scorers: Rodriguez (13lg1cp)
Derby 19/24 Derby P 42 W 13 D 10 L 19 F 53 A 60 Leading scorers: Bueno, Cywka, Davies, Moore, Savage (4)
The Rams 3 games without defeat and the finishing line in sight - Can the Rams secure the final few points that guarantee safety? It's no coincidence that the teams return to form has coincided with the improved performances of Stephen Pearson. Pearson is one of those players that annoy many of the Pride Park faithful. He has pace, technical ability and is capable of a lot more than we've seen. Yet all too often his passing his wayward, his shooting ability non existent and his tackling half hearted at best. The reason he annoys fans is he clearly has these abilities - so why doesn't he have the footballers confidence (some would say arrogance) to use them? Some would lay the blame at the door of Nigel Clough and point out that Pearson has been used as a winger when clearly he isn't one. Others would point out that Pearson was displaying these traits before Clough left the Pirelli. I think that like Kris Commons, Pearson is a player that thrives in a team full of confidence and doing well. With a big strong midfielder winning the ball and with talented players to lay the ball off to, he would be an asset. In a team that has Robbie Savage has the main spring for midfield, he's a luxury.
Possible team Jones Brayford Barker Ayala Roberts B.Davies Savage Bailey Pearson S.Davies Ward SUBS: Severn, Bueno, Robinson, Addison, Porter, Pringle, Doyle
Current Rams Squad No. Position Player 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 (club captain) 10 Striker Jamie Ward (on loan from Sheffield United) 11 Midfield Stephen Pearson 12 Striker Chris Porter 13 Keeper Saul Deeney 14 Defender Russell Anderson 16 Midfield James Bailey 17 Defender Jake Buxton 18 Midfield Ben Pringle 19 Striker Tomasz Cywka 20 Defender Miles Addison 21 Defender Daniel Ayala (on loan from Liverpool) 23 Striker Conor Doyle 24 Midfield Arnaud Mendy 25 Defender Mark O'Brien 26 Striker Callum Ball 27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid) 28 Midfield Ben Davies 29 Midfield Jeff Hendrick 34 Keeper Brad Jones
Burnley A midweek win over Middlesbrough following the win over Swansea at the weekend has re-ignited Burnley's play off hopes. Six games without a win looked like the end of the Clarets dreams of a swift return to the Premier League. Burnley, Hull and Forest all sit on 63 points, 2 shy of faltering Leeds. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire before the Middlesbrough game, defender Andre Bikey: "It was really important winning on Saturday because it's been a while since our last victory, It's made us more confident and we realise we're still involved." He went on; "At Burnley we look like outsiders at the moment but if we beat Middlesbrough on Tuesday we'll put Leeds under a lot of pressure. I think if we can get at least four wins in our last five games we'll be there or thereabouts." The pressure is now clearly on Leeds and nobody can afford to slip up. Clarets boss Eddie Howe has no reported injury concerns at the time of writing. Lee Grant should be on the bench while Tyrone Mears should start.
Current Clarets 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 (vice-captain) 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 Midfield Marvin Bartley 21 Defender André Bikey 22 Midfield Ross Wallace 23 Striker Charlie Austin 24 Defender Brian Easton 25 Defender Shane Duffy (On loan from Everton) 26 Striker Nathan Delfouneso (On loan from Aston Villa) 30 Striker Steven Thompson 33 Midfield Chris Eagles
What the bookies think The Rams are favourites at 8/5 while Burnley is at 13/8. The draw is 12/5. Alberto Bueno and Steve Davies are both at 6/1 while our captain and joint leading scorer is at 14/1. Silly odds seeing as he takes penalties. Jay Rodriguez and Nathan Delfouneso are also at 6/1 for the visitors. Tyrone Mears is at 20/1.
Information for travelling fans Driving Burnley is one of those places that multiple routes take the same amount of time to get to. The best route according to my sat nav is M60/M62/M1 South to J16 for Derby. Take the A52 Brian Clough Way to Derby. Take the A6 turn-off for Derby and the ground and away parking are signposted. About 100 miles and a 2.5 hours drive. Parking Away fans can 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 at the Fireplace showroom just at the turn off the A52 for Pride Park. Don’t be in a rush to leave however as it takes an age to get out of there. 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. Drinking There are a few pubs very close to the ground but 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 very good 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 Much depends on Burnley's nerves and crucially if Robbie Savage can get among them and wind them up. The crowd informing them of other scores might help too. Come on Leeds! A draw I reckon. Rams 2-2 Burnley
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