Nigel Clough has been spruiking that his team may have left their run a little late to try and snatch a play-off position but behind the scenes I bet he is pushing for one final lunge at a door that is marginally still ajar.

Last Meeting:

22/10/2011 - The Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough 2 vs. 0 Derby

Current Form:

Rams:

Have lost only once in their last 6 matches with 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss.

After a leaky season the home team have only conceded once in the last 3 and come into the match on the back of two clean sheets including the midweek victory over Leeds.

Boro:

Have not won in 8 matches with 4 losses and 4 draws.

Visit Pride Park having lost their last two matches.

Team News:

Rams:

The same squad selected for the trip to Leeds will face Boro as Davies and Ward push for a return to the starting line up.

Bailey and Carroll may also be options for Clough if a change is necessary in midfield but unless any of his players are carrying niggles; they are more likely to once again be amongst the subs.

Boro:

Full-back Joe Bennett will miss through suspension and midfielder Faris Haroun returned to training this week but is still carrying a hamstring injury which may see him start as a substitute.

Marvin Emnes has been playing with a knee complaint but Boro will not want him to succumb to the injury just yet as he has scored 17 goals this season and the visitors cannot afford to lose his attacking power having already lost the last two matches.

Daniel.J’s Dissection:

Nigel Clough has been spruiking that his team may have left their run a little late to try and snatch a play-off position but behind the scenes I bet he is pushing for one final lunge at a door that is marginally still ajar.

I was sitting down considering the table and fixtures this week and I am sure that like me, Nigel will have seen that this weekend could turn the mathematics of the top 6 if the Rams can secure all 3 points against a wobbly Boro side.

The Rams lie 5 points and goal difference outside of the top 6 but with this weekend’s fixture there is one factor, which although a long shot, may put Derby back into the frame to snatch 6th position.

All of the teams that sit above the Rams – Hull, Leicester, Brighton & Cardiff all have away fixtures this weekend. That also applies for Middlesbrough who leads Derby in the table but have to travel to face the resurgent Rams at Pride Park.

Each clash pits the teams in question against opponents outside of the relegation zone who, considering how tight this league is, are more than capable of holding their visitors to a draw or perhaps even defeat.

This might be wishful thinking but considering how competitive Nigel is reported to be behind closed doors (could a Clough really be anything else?), you can bet your bottom dollar he is punching home these facts to his chargers.

Not only could a win this weekend open things up to a mad dash in the home straight, the fact that Derby face 6th placed Cardiff mid-week means a leap from 11th to close to or even 6th is not out of the question – especially if they can reproduce their form from the Leeds win.

Boro has not won a match in their last 8 while having lost their last 2. While not bleeding goals they seem unable to keep a clean sheet, something the Rams are capable of doing with the back four settling well after the massive holes that have been blown in it this season with the loss of Barker and Brayford.

The visitors will be nervous considering the terrible run that they are on that has nearly blown their chance of a play-off berth. They need to win or their hopes could fade away and it is that fact that puts the Rams in the box seat. Get amongst it early; give the home fans something to sing about and Boro will be feeling the heat.

If Clough chooses the same pair up front, the pace of Tyson and Robinson will trouble Boro and if Bryson, Green and Hendrick can get time on the ball to direct play then they will set up the chances, it will just be up to the dynamic duo to put them away. A run of goals from Tyson starting on Saturday could be the launching pad to a last ditch play-off run.

Even if Tyson fails (again), Steve Davies & Jamie Ward are on hand, either starting or from the bench, to lend a hand. Since returning from his skull injury Davies has looked like a new player, always talented and able to score goals, adding a massive work rate and real grit to his game which has elevated him from a finisher early in the season to a contributor and creator as well.

Ward will be better for his last two runs and raring to terrorise the Boro defence. His return could be a major part of the Rams taking points in their remaining games as he adds an x-factor that our squad often sorely lacks.

The team is looking as settled as it has all season in terms of no glaring holes in form or ability but it does suffer from a player or players regularly having a bad game rather than achieving a consistent level of form that is required to barn storm the top 6.

With a line up capable of playing flowing and attacking football - it is no fantasy or fairytale to not think it could happen. The main negative factor working against the Rams is their Jekyll and Hyde complex that could at any time shatter their chances even if they manage 6 points over the two matches.

When we revue the Rams season, unless they pull a rabbit from the hat in the last four matches, it will be a story of lost opportunities and questions about the lack of even just a little January investment from our owners - when the team was so close to taking it to the next level after great results over the festive season.

Whether or not Derby make a late push, the long suffering home fans and in fact fans all over the world would appreciate…, no let me re-phrase that…, deserve a thrilling finish to the season with a few wins and even perhaps a heart stopping final fixture that elevates the Rams to the play-offs.

A stretch too far perhaps but sport is all about setting goals and trying to reach them. Any manager, coach or player who does not keep pushing when there is still a mathematical chance – should not be allowed to adorn the DCFC crest on their shirts.

It is for that reason I am tipping the Rams to win this Saturday and perhaps an increased heart rate of Rams fans should some of those above slip up causing the table to open up for one last tilt at the top 6.

DJ's Score Prediction:

Derby 3 – Boro 1 

Manager’s View:

What Nigel Clough Said:

"The Easter Weekend was a demanding, intense and physically challenging period for the team with two matches inside 48 hours against Ipswich Town and Leeds United.”

"Both games showed the progression we've made over the campaign; against Ipswich we'd probably have lost that game last season, however, we managed to keep it tight and get a 0-0.  At Leeds we produced a dominant display from the first whistle and deservedly got the three points. Even if Michael Brown hadn't been sent off, we think we'd have won the game anyway given our performance and the chances we created.”

"Our performance was superb and to get two goals and a clean-sheet adds to everyone's confidence at the moment, which is exactly what I want the players to take into the next game against Middlesbrough, and the final three games after that."

“As we understand it, it's the first time in Derby County's history that the double has been done over Leeds and Forest in the same season - which is some achievement and I hope every single one of our supporters is savouring the moment."

"It has been a season of progress, and we feel we've made steps forwards both at first-team level and below in the last 12 months. We've registered 11 wins at home this season, we've got two of our centre-forwards in double figures despite suffering from injuries at various points of the campaign and we're on course for the third best points tally in the last eleven seasons."

What Tony Mowbray Said:

"The next game is the most crucial one as we've got to feel we've got a realistic chance. The players know the situation, I talked to them today after training and it's still very much there for us."

"I watched them training and saw how they were competitive, at times overly-competitive, and they are great qualities to take in and use against the opposition."

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

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