Mick's Match Preview - Derby vs. Burnley
Friday, 26th Aug 2011 15:15 by Mick McDermott

The Rams will be aiming to go into the upcoming international break undefeated while Burnley will want to get their first win on the board. Can Derby continue their winning ways - or will the Clarets spoil the party?

Derby County vs. Burnley

Pride Park, Derby

3pm - 27th August 2011Burnley

Another club trying - and so far failing - to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. They gave it a good go and it went to the wire, with only defeat to Leeds and the Tricky Trees' end-of-season form stopping them.

Manager Eddie Howe's first move in the close season was to sack coaches Stuart Gray and Ashley Hoskin, bringing in Jason Blake as reserve team coach and presumably taking over first team coaching himself, with the assistance of Jason Tindall.

The Clarets have seen six players leave including Chris Iwelumo, Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears, Danny Fox and club captain Graham Alexander.

In have come strikers Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Zavon Hines, along with Midfielder Marvin Bartley. Manchester City have loaned defenders Keiren Trippier and Ben Mee to the club.

It’s not been the most auspicious of starts. Two draws and a defeat mean the Clarets have a bit of catching up to do to equal last season.

The Clarets have been rocked by injuries to new signing Danny Ings and now Michael Duff is a doubt having suffered a heavy challenge in the League Cup game against Barnet.

Speaking to the Burnley Express, Clarets' assistant manager Jason Tindall said:

“Duffo went off injured, much to our disappointment, and he’s had a scan, so we’re just waiting on the results of that, and hopefully it won’t be too serious."

Tindall doesn't sound too disappointed in the Clarets' start and is looking forward to the game at Pride Park; stringing together the usual cliché’s, he said;

“Derby is a very good side, they’re on a great run of form, so it’s going to be a tough game, although there’s no easy games in this division, regardless of whether you’re top of the league or bottom."

“We’re going to go there and try to win the game and perform well, which we’re more than capable of doing."

“We went there last year and went behind and won, and we’ll be looking to get another positive result."

“It’s a place where we know we can go and win, we’re more than capable.”

Current Form:

P 3 W 0 D 2 L 1 F 3 A 5

Leading Scorer:

Rodriguez (5cp) four against Burton Albion!

Past games:

Historical at Derby -

P 47 W 28 D 9 L 10 F 94 A 50

A fixture that goes back to the 1800's. And one in which we haven't done too well just recently. The last game was the 4-2 reverse in April - a game that Derby led twice. Burnley were still challenging for the play-offs, whereas we were just about safe. Robinson put us in front only for the Clarets to peg us back. Jamie Ward scored to restore our lead before the break - but then gave away a penalty and got sent off on the hour.

If memory serves, that was pretty much the Chris Eagles show. Now he's plying his trade for Bolton we can hope for better.

This was also the game that Jeff Hendrick came on for his first team debut replacing the ineffective Robbie Savage. Now he seems to have done this permanently.

Sat 23 Apr 2011: Derby County 2 - 4 Burnley; Robinson, Ward

Teams:

Derby County: Jones, Brayford, Ayala, Barker, Anderson (Addison 82), Savage (Henrick 80), Bailey, Pearson, Ward, S Davies (Ball 77), Robinson.

Burnley:

Jensen, Mears, Fox, Duff, Bikey, Elliott, McCann (Alexander 78), Cork, Eagles (Wallace 82), Rodriguez, Iwelumo (Thompson 71)

Current Clarets Squad

No. Position Player

1 Keeper Lee Grant

2 Defender Kieran Trippier (on loan from Manchester City)

3 Defender Danny Fox

4 Defender Michael Duff

6 Midfield Chris McCann (captain)

7 Midfield Ross Wallace

8 Midfield Dean Marney

9 Striker Jay Rodriguez

10 Striker Martin Paterson

11 Midfield Wade Elliott

12 Keeper Brian Jensen

15 Defender David Edgar

18 Defender Leon Cort

20 Midfield Marvin Bartley

21 Defender André Amougou

23 Striker Charlie Austin

24 Defender Brian Easton

26 Midfield Keith Treacy

36 Defender Ben Mee (on loan from Manchester City)

Injuries or Suspensions

Danny Ings & Michael Duff will be missing while Marvin Bartley is suspended.

How to get there?

Tow ways, Take the M6, M62 and 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. Or stay on the M6 until Stoke & take the A50/A38 to Derby and follow the signs.

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 sign posted 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

First four victories could become first five victories if the form book is anything to go by. But then, form books rarely are - otherwise we probably wouldn't have these four victories.

The first two games were characterised by a bit of luck and playing against opposition that didn't take their chances. The last two have been good performances. Doncaster may be struggling, but we've struggled against strugglers before!

It would be nice to go into the international break undefeated and even nicer if we've won all of our games - but nobody should be thinking that the team will sweep all before them on the road to the Premier League.

There is a lot of hard work and a lot of better teams out there - Burnley being one of them. How we handle that - particularly how Nigel Clough manages his players when returning from injury - will determine where we finish. That, and any departures or signings.

Still, the smiles are returning to the fans faces and there is a growing belief that the club is starting the long journey back up the League. This being a Bank Holiday weekend, Pride Park can expect a bumper crowd and hopefully most will go home happy. I'm going for another win (2 results out of 5 exactly right so far).

Rams 3-1 Burnley