It's a while since our last league game and much has happened, a new manager, a struggle past a non-league club and a famous victory over Manchester United. Now it’s back to the bread and butter.

Derby County v Queens Park Rangers

Coca Cola Championship

Saturday 16th January 2009

Pride Park, Derby

Rangers were widely predicted to run away with this league following the takeover and so far it hasn’t happened. The team are currently 9th in the league and the play offs seem to be their best hope. The reason isn’t hard to spot – QPR are awful away from home.

They have only won once on their travels, drawing six and losing six. They’ve managed just 5 goals on the road. Chief Coach Paulo Sousa admits the team's inability to score is hurting their play-off bid:

"When we build a lot of chances we need to win the games. During my 10 games I lost a lot of points like that, missing a lot of goals. I have players in mind, the board knows already."

Top scorer is Dexter Blackstock on 12 league goals but the next highest scorer is Emmanuel Ledesma – and 3 of his 4 goals have come in the cup.

Souza has moved in the transfer market bringing in midfielder Liam Miller from Sunderland’ Souza said:

“Liam will give us great options in midfield; he's an energetic, box-to-box player who will complement the already positive options we have in the midfield department."

Rangers arrive in Derby on the back of a 1-2 defeat after extra time in the cup at Burnley.

Ex-Rams Lee Camp and Adam Bolder are unlikely to feature.

R’s Facts

The Rams

Following last weeks postponement, the Nigel Clough era kicks off with a home game against QPR.

Nigel has had an extra week to work with the players and it should be interesting to see who he selects and what format he chooses to play. It will be interesting to see if any of the outcasts from the Paul Jewell era have any contribution to make.

Andy Todd returned to the fold against Manchester United and was magnificent. Almost all fans had written off this player and had hoped we’d sent he last of him. Could it be that he still has a role to play? The same is true of Robbie Savage, Gary Teale, Jay McEveley and even Claude Davis.

It may sometimes be that a style of management does not suit a particular player. It may even be that conflict between the manager and the players may disunite the team and lead to poor performances. Whatever the reason, we as fans need to give the manager the benefit of the doubt and not boo at any selection.

One player who won’t be making a contribution is Andrei Pereplotkins who has returned to his home club in Latvia. Good luck to the player who apparently performed well in a behind closed doors game in midweek. Clough obviously wasn’t impressed enough.

Hopefully some more of the less gifted players will be on their bikes in the next few weeks.

Mick’s team

Bywater, Connolly, Todd, Nyatanga, Camara, Davies, Green, Savage, Addison, Commons, Dickinson

What the Bookies think

The Rams are narrow favourites with William Hill at 11/8 while Rangers are at 13/8. You can get 21/10 on the draw.

The Duke and Rob Hulse are the favoured scorers at 6/4 while you can get 9/4 on Kris Commons. The Rangers strike force of Heidar Helguson and Dexter Blackstock are at 7/4.

Information for travelling fans

Driving: Shepherds Bush to Derby is about 125miles. Take M25, M1 North to J25 then take the A52 Brian Clough Way to Derby. You will see the ground on your left as you arrive in Derby. Follow the signs for the parking or stay on the A52 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.

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

The fight back against, Forest Green, The Manchester United victory, the upcoming game against them, the Forest game to say nothing of the new manager … there’s a lot going on at Pride Park at the moment and it’s easy to forget how poor we were in our last league game.

QPR are struggling on the road but Miller might be the impetus they need.

 The players need to find some of the spirit they displayed against the World Champions and take Rangers to task. That would be a good start to the new Clough Era.

Photo: Action Images

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