According to the BBC, Rams manager Paul Jewell has said his team are desperate to win their next league game against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Rob Hulse will be desperate to score against his old club and we fans will be desperate not to go a year without a win.
Are the Blades desperate about anything?

Apart from the regular beef about being in the shadow of their underachieving rivals, not much. Michael Tonge left before the transfer deadline for Stoke but otherwise the Blades have started the season well and currently lie 5th. They are still in the Carling Cup and despite not having the services of James Beattie, have managed to score plenty of goals. There's good news for Blades fans on the Beattie front as well. Manager Kevin Blackwell said;

"I'm delighted to say James Beattie has come through two weeks of hard training and now he's fit and raring to go and so the competition is on.

Commenting on the loss of Tonge, he went on;

“When you look at the likes of Matt Spring, Nick Montgomery and Lee Hendrie, we've got players that can fill the Tonge roll in midfield.”

And Paul Jewell can expect little sympathy;

"We have to go there and play our game, I can't get involved in the situation that Derby are in, we'll deal with ourselves. I am sure if we are right I'm confident we will get a result."

It's interesting to note that the Blades drew 0-0 with an attacking Cardiff side last time out at Bramhall. Both managers were very complimentary about their centre halves. While Dave Jones bemoaned missed chances, a relieved Blackwell said;

"The two centre-halves for both teams were outstanding, Ugo Ehiogu looked back to his very best and we're talking about a lad who has played at the very highest level - that's how well he played."

Ehiogu is a bit of an enigma. He's always looked a competent centre half throughout his career but has a tendency to commit at least one horrific blunder per game - usually televised. As this game is on TV we can only hope.

Blades statistics

The Rams

Okay - try to be positive. Against Barnlsey - and indeed Preston - we were a much improved team. The defenders defended, Miles Addison did well in midfield. The players managed to pass to their own. The only thing lacking for 70 minutes was the killer ball for the forwards.

As the bloke behind me said "we're never going to score today" - and he was right. Even if we'd been still playing I doubt we'd have scored.

Once Barnsley scored you could see the team visibly deflate and a second was inevitable. After the game, Paul Jewell said; "That's about as well as we've played this season. I'm very disappointed that we've lost the game but I'm pleased with the performance. We were by the far the better team but we probably just didn't have the cutting edge and they scored a goal out of nothing. I thought there were some good points so there is some light at the end of the tunnel."

That result left us bottom but as its early days there's still plenty to fight for.  Paul Jewell isn't giving up despite being favourite for the sack. On radio Derby today he said; "We're four games into a new league season, we've got a brand new team, more or less, and yet people keep mentioning last year. It's not going to go away until we win a game.

With all due respect Paul - the reason people keep mentioning last year is because of all of the statements you made about hitting the floor running and having a longer preparation time than other teams. With the exception of the Preston and Barnsley games - of which most fans will only have seen the highlights - the team has performed as badly as last year. Those of us at Preston and Barnsley have seen the green shoots, but to win over the majority of fans we need to see a performance against the Blades on Saturday. Otherwise ...

Mick's team: Carroll, Connolly, Leacock, Albrechtsen, Stewart, Green, Kazmierczak, Addison, Commons, Villa, Ellington

What the Bookies think

William Hill has the blades as favouites at 11/8 wile the Rams are at 13/8. The draw is at 21/10. Rob Hulse is at 7/1 to be first scorer against his old club while Emanuel Villa and Nathan Ellington are at13/2.

James Beattie is the bookies favourite 11/2 while former Scunthorpe hit man and leading scorer Billy Sharp is at 6/1.

Information for traveling fans

 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 okay 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.

Driving it’s about 50 miles to Derby from Sheffield. Best route is M1 South to Junction 25. Take the A52 Brian Clough Way to Derby and the Stadium is on your left as you arrive in Derby. You can take the ring road to the London Rd area for Parking or stay on as described below.

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should 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 for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. 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.

Mick’s prediction

I predict the crowd will get restless if it doesn’t go well early on. We must not transmit that anxiety to the players. The Blades tend to bring a lot of fans so if we’re booing and the Blades are cheering it can only have one outcome.

We need to get behind the team. Simple as that.

Photo: Action Images

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