This weekend is FA Cup Third Round and for the Rams it’s a road trip to Hartlepool United.

Hartlepool, managed by Ronnie Moore, hasn’t played since December 19th as their last two matches have been postponed and they sit 21st in League Two.

United sit three points clear of the bottom two and have as many as four games in hand over other sides.

In contrast Derby visits the North East on the back of a defeat at Middlesbrough and a draw at Leeds. The fans and manager Paul Clement alike will be looking for a reaction let alone their first win of 2016.

After the game at Boro the manager held his hand up and said he made the wrong decision in using an attacking sub and going for the victory when the game was still at 0-0. Fair enough for him admitting his mistake openly and fair play for having the guts to go for it at the Riverside.

It’s clear that it was the wrong decision now but it’s always easy to say these things after the fact when they backfire.

Getting back to tomorrows Cup clash, I would expect to see changes to the Rams side.

George Thorne, who turned 23 this week, is an obvious one to rest, especially as he is carrying an injury that will most likely keep him out of this match and Tuesday night at the iPro against Reading.

So besides the obvious omission of Thorne, will it be a Rams fringe XI?

In goals it seems Carson will probably be given more time to recover, which leaves Grant. Alternatively there is Hartlepool born Jonathan Mitchell who has been the substitute keeper whilst Carson has been out. There is also Roos, who hasn’t been mentioned much since his loan ended early at Rotherham and was given a run out in the Cup last year.

How Clement shapes his defence will be interesting with Buxton the only player a confirmed starter during yesterday’s press conference. Will Alex Pearce gets the nod alongside Jake to add to his appearance in the League Cup against Portsmouth which still remains his only Rams start. If Clement is making wholesale changes Shotton is also an option at full-back or in the centre.

It would probably make sense to rest Warnock. Unfortunately the well-rated left-back Max Lowe is out injured, he would have been ideal to come in but Baird could also cover at left-back.

In midfield Hanson is a good shout to play the ‘Thorne’ role and if Bryson is fit then this would be good for him to hopefully get some match sharpness back.

In attack you would think Bent will come in for Martin while new signings Abdoul Camara and Nick Blackman should make their Derby debuts. What an introduction to English football it will be for Camara, an FA Cup match in Hartlepool…, it doesn’t get more English than that!

It is expected that there will be changes but should Clement make wholesale changes or retain a few regulars? Playing many of our fringe players is not the most dangerous of options when you consider the experience that the likes of Baird and Bent have in their lockers.

For me, it is important to try out other players and perhaps go with 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, whilst retaining a good side capable of doing the job. At the very least you’d expect an Ince or Martin type on the bench to change things if necessary.

It will be good for Buxton to be back in action, the likes of Hanson to get a game and the new boys to debut in a match that may not be as testing as many upcoming league fixtures…

In saying that, the game does have the potential to be a banana skin, similar to the last
time Derby lost to a lower league side in the FA Cup when they went down to Crawley in 2011.

Fingers crossed the Rams avoid slipping this time round.

COYR!

Photo: Action Images

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