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Preview - Derby County v Norwich City
Preview - Derby County v Norwich City
Tuesday, 28th Oct 2008 11:14

"He has a fantastic goal scoring record in the Premier League and the Championship and he is someone that I believe will take the chances that we have been creating but not converting."

Derby County v Norwich City

Coca Cola Championship

7:45pm 28th October 2008

Pride Park, Derby

 

So Said Glenn Roeder about Leroy Lita before the Derby game a month ago and Lita has repaid his fulsome praise. Lita is now the Canaries top scorer with four.

 Since the game at Carrow Rd, Delia’s boys have won two and lost one – including a 5-2 demolition of Wolves.  The beat Doncaster 2-1 on Saturday with a late goal from Lita sealing the win. Glenn Roeder was happy with the win if no the performance. He said; "It was not a good performance, we're honest people, we admit to that, there's no one disputing that we didn't play well.” 

The team have however developed a good spirit, he went on; “The one thing I will not have anyone accusing us of is giving in because we kept going and that's why we won the game, because we didn't give in.”

 

Norwich have named unchanged side for the last two games and could do the same tonight. The only injuries the Canaries have are long term with Jon Otsemobor and Mark Fotheringham doubtful.

 

Ex-Ram Arturo Lupoli is unlikely to feature.

 

Canary’s statistics

 

No.  Position Player 
1  Keeper David Marshall 
2  Defence Jon Otsemobor 
3  Defence Adam Drury 
5  Defence John Kennedy (on loan from Celtic) 
6  Defence Dejan Stefanovic 
7  Midfield Lee Croft 
8  Midfield Sammy Clingan 
9  Midfield Antoine Sibierski (on loan from Wigan Athletic) 
10  Striker Jamie Cureton 
12  Defence Gary Doherty 
13  Keeper Declan Rudd 
14  Midfield Wes Hoolahan 
15  Defence Jonathan Grounds (on loan from Middlesbrough) 
16  Midfield Mark Fotheringham (captain) 
17  Midfield David Bell 
18  Striker Arturo Lupoli (on loan from ACF Fiorentina) 
19  Midfield Simon Lappin 
20  Midfield Darel Russell 
21  Defence Ryan Bertrand (on loan from Chelsea) 
22  Defence Elliot Omozusi (on loan from Fulham) 
23  Striker Omar Alieu Koroma (on loan from Portsmouth) 
24  Midfield Matty Pattison 
25  Keeper Stuart Nelson 
26  Midfield Robert Eagle 
27  Defence Troy Archibald-Henville (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) 
30  Striker Korey Smith 
33  Striker Kris Renton 
36  Midfield Damon Lathrope 
39  Striker Luke Daley 
44 Striker Leroy Lita (on loan from Reading)

 

Last 5 
Southampton 2-0 Norwich
Norwich 1-2 Derby County
Bristol City 1-0 Norwich
Norwich 5-2 Wolves
Norwich 2-1 Doncaster

 

Games since...
Clean sheet 5 
Goal 0 
Loss 2 
No score draw 5 
Score draw 9 
Win 0

 

Leading Scorers 
Lita   4 
Lupoli  3 
Croft   2 
Russell  2 
Sibierski   2 

 

The Rams

 

A defeat at Blackpool followed by a draw at Coventry – has the bubble burst or is the injury crisis taking its toll?

 

We’re currently missing Giles Barnes, Martin Albrechtsen, Nacer Barazite, Stephen Pearson and Steve Davies (eye).

 

On top of that Dean Leacock has a calf injury and Paul Green a neck problem. This run of games is taking its toll.

 

Coventry’s dying seconds equalizer was galling for the team if only because it was a lapse in concentration that caused it.

 

Paul Jewell however was critical of the linesman. He said; “He has given them a throw when it shouldn't have been their throw and they have scored from it. Another time he gave them a goal-kick when we should have had a corner and then Gary Teale is three yards offside and he keeps his flag down. I have to be careful what I say. He was consistent, I'll give him that. If I am wrong (about the throw) I will ring the linesman up and tell him that I am sorry.”

 This is a worrying trend among match officials. At the Blackpool game it was easily noticeable that the linesman in front of us could not keep up with the pace of the game and it’s something the FA will need to work on if middle aged officials are going to keep officiating in a younger and younger game.

 

Mick’s team: Carroll, Connolly, Leacock, Nyatanga, Stewart, Commons, Addison, Green, Sterjovski, Ellington, Hulse

 

What the Bookies think

 

The Rams are favourites at 23/20 while Norwich are at 12/5. The draw is at 23/10. Rob Hulse is favoured first scorer at 5/1 while Leroy Lita is at 7/1. You can get 8/1 on Arturo Lupoli.

 

Information for travelling fans

 

Driving: its 170 miles from Carrow Road to Pride Park and at least a three hour drive so I wouldn’t expect many to make the journey. That said the RAC recommend taking the A11 and A14 to J19 of the M1 then North to J25. Take Brian Clough Way (the A52) towards Derby follow the signs for Pride Park and you will see the stadium on your right.  Follow signs for away supporter parking or stay on the A52 to Pentagon Island.

 

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 walk from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at the shopping centre on Pride Park 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 park at Pentagon Island. Take the exit for the cattle market 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 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.

 

Mick’s prediction

 

We won at Norwich and there’s no reason we can’t compete our first double of the season. Leroy Lita is likely to be a threat especially against our depleted defence. We need to put more chances away at the other end. Obvious really.

 

Photo: Action Images



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