I seem to be forever writing previews of Derby v Wednesday and it’s rare to write one when Wednesday aren’t in some sort of crisis.

Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday

Coca Cola Championship

3:00pm, 15^th November, 2008

Pride Park, Derby

For once they seem to clear of one on the pitch - even if there’s still confusion off the pitch about takeovers and the position of manager Brian Laws.

Wednesday have 22 points and lie 12^th - one point and place ahead of the Rams.  After last seasons disasters, the fans must at least be pleased to be out of the relegation zone and comfortably in mid-table - They even beat the Blunts in a typical blood and thunder Steel City Derby, and beat Doncaster last week in another local Derby.

Brian Laws admitted that Wednesday were lucky to win that game; he said; “"In the end we were riding our luck. We thought at half-time they would look to throw their strikers on and it changed the game the fact that they were more progressive and getting more into our half. "We had to dig in deep, but that is the important thing that we can dig in deep.”

One problem Wednesday seem to have is conceding goals on their travels. They’ve only conceded 3 league goals at home but have conceded 22 on the road - the highest total in the division.

To be fair, 10 of those goals were conceded in 2 games at Wolves and Reading but it does suggest that there are defensive frailties at Wednesday.

Brian Laws has extended the contracts of defenders Richard Wood and Tommy Spurr - maybe to relieve anxiety over the future of their younger players? Laws said; “They are going nowhere. We are looking for the futures of Richard, Tommy and Mark Beevers to be secured for as long as possible.”

Ex-Ram Marcus Tudgay is likely to start whereas Deon Burton is usually warming the bench these days.

Wednesday facts

The Rams

Unless Paul Jewell can pull a loan or a rabbit out of the bag, we will probably be starting with Claude Davis and Lewin Nyatanga at the centre of defence. Dean Leacock and Martin Albrechtsen are still absent with their respective injuries and at the time of writing, a loan is looking unlikely. Bolton have already turned down an approach for Danny Shittu. According to the Derby Evening Telegraph, Paul Jewell has put it down to a fear factor among the Premier league clubs, Jewell said; "I think the reason is because the Premier League is so tight. You've got Bolton winning one game and going from second-from-bottom to ninth and Fulham going from third-bottom to eighth. There is such a scramble that, from eighth downwards almost, you've got a relegation fight. So when are asking for players, even the top teams won't let players go."

 Injuries to centre-backs (including the retirement of Alan Stubbs) have probably contributed to our inability to keep a clean sheet.

In retrospect, it's easy to see we should perhaps have had another centre half arrive over the summer. Having said that, Lewin Nyatanga seems to finally be developing into a good centre-half.  He stood firm against the Leeds onslaught the other night and barely put a foot wrong - you'd certainly be hard pressed to say which of our centre halves cost £3m. 

To be fair to Claude, he didn't have a bad game and nobody can doubt his efforts. The problem seems to stem from his anxiety NOT to make mistakes and an ability to dwell on the ball when he should be putting it into row Z.  

Miles Addison should replace Kaz in midfield and anybody at all should replace Gary Teale.  To be fair to Kaz, I think we expected him to be a defensive midfielder and he clearly isn't. He is more attack minded and is capable of some excellent passes. The problem seems to be that he needs just to long on the ball to actually do anything.  

Teale meanwhile - I've defended him in the past but on Tuesday he was simply hiding from the ball. Berating your colleagues and then shirking every pass and tackle is simply wrong. The cheers at half time when he was substituted should tell the player he's not wanted in a Rams shirt with that attitude.

Mick's Team: Carroll, Stewart, Davis, Nyatanga, Connolly, Commons, Addison, Green, Barazite, Ellington, Hulse

What the bookies think

The Rams are favourites at 10/11 on while the Wendies are at 5/2. The draw is at 11/5. You can get 5/1 on Rob Hulse as the first scorer while Marcus Tudgay is at 13/2 to put one past us

Information for travelling 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 x 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

We looked tired and jaded against Leeds. Hopefully Miles Addison and Nacer Barazite will have had a rest and should add something to the team. Take nothing away from Leeds, they were one of the best teams I’ve seen at Pride Park for a while yet we still won. With the right attitude we can win all of our home games.

Photo: Action Images

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