D.J's Match Preview: Rams Will Pick Up Pace & Beat Bees
Saturday, 20th Feb 2016 06:15 by Daniel J Sewart

Last week I wrote in my preview that Darren Wassall may have preferred his first game to be played away from home, now after defeat in his first outing, the pressure is sure to follow the new boss and his team to Brentford.

There is no doubt that Wassall took an attacking mentality into last weekends match but unfortunately the team rarely sparked into life and instead continued to go through the motions.

I felt sorry for Darren as he tried everything to get his team firing, including changes to the formation which ended up with Shackell playing up top in what seemed like 4 man forward line.

If Wassall is going to be our man for the rest of the season then I have no problem giving him a couple of weeks to turn the ship around, as whatever was wrong before he took over, it seems unlikely anyone could fix it in a week or two.

Confidence and energy go hand in hand and he needs to find a way to get it back, something I have no doubt he is working overtime to achieve after his comments during the week.

One of the most interesting comments he made was late this week when he said;

"The way that we want to play and the intensity we want to play with, we have to be fitter.".

The suggestion was that the team used to outrun their opposition but no longer do which can only be taken as a veiled criticism of how fit the players were under Paul Clement & Karl Halabi who was recently relieved of his position as head of physical performance.

When I hear statements like this you have to think Wassall has the magnifying glass out and is trying to identify what has changed to make a team drop their pressure levels from high to low over recent months. The season is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and it seems Darren feels his boys were not prepared to last the journey as well as they could.

As he forms the team into a mould that can deliver what he expects, it seems hoping for a miracle may be too much to ask but definitely looking for rapid improvement with the aim of not once again sliding out of the play-off places.

The Rams head to Brentford hoping to secure their first League win on 2016 while ensuring their winless run does not enter double figures.

It is anyone’s guess how the team will line up as the new man experiments to try and get the motor purring again but I think he will lean towards a more familiar 4-1-4-1 formation that the team knows well and are confident executing.

Marcus Olsson was one of the few players who could come away from the MK Dons game with his head held high. His bombing runs and constant energy in trying to create should have embarrassed some of his team mates, as he showed them what will be required to get out of the hole they have dug themselves.

Olsson will retain his spot on the left but does anyone know if Warnock can play on the right? Cyrus Christie for the second season running is starting to go cold. As least Warnock would give us passion and looks confident on the ball — whatever he decides to do.

Despite these criticisms I don’t expect the back four to change but with Thorne likely to miss again, in midfield I would expect Hanson or Johnson to find themselves back in the fray to provide cover and allow those in front to get forward.

Those in front of the defensive midfielder should be Hendrick and Bryson who in my mind are the most likely duo to get the Rams moving. Bryson was average last week but will improve as he gets more matches into his legs and with so many struggling to find form, there is no better time to get him into peak condition.

Ince, Blackman and Weiman have not shown enough of late, while Butterfield has looked dangerous so I would deploy him and Russell wide on either side to deliver our front man some much needed service and support. Camara may also be considered as maybe he can provide some spark, especially as his pace and trickery may be perfect for a match against a struggling, nervous side (and no we are not playing ourselves!).

Up front Bent must be pushing for a start but I think Martin will remain at the top of the tree as I have no doubt Wassall is working hard on fixing the issues that have plagued the Rams since early in the season. We know what Chris can do and despite the fact he often does not help himself, if you get the ball to him in the right places he will make things happen. He more than proved that fact against Man U and Fulham when he superbly created goals.

On paper the Rams bench runs deep but in reality, form has it running shallow. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod over the coming matches, as those forgotten men, if responding positively to the new regime in training, may get another crack at redemption.

Brentford have been struggling of late after having a good start to the season. Like the Rams the year has started terribly with no wins on home soil so far in 2016 and only 1 victory since late December.

After pressing the top 6 they now sit mid-table and could slide into the bottom half if they do not find some form soon. They will be desperate to bounce back in front of their home fans after being thrashed 4-0 by Sheffield Wednesday in their last outing.

The Bees will be without defender Yoann Barbet who will be serving a one-match ban while midfielder Alan McCormack could return from a calf injury.

Prediction:

Two teams desperate for a win. A situation similar to last week and we all know how that turned out.

Basically the Rams need a goal. If they had managed one over MK Dons then I think things may have started to slot into place. But like last weekends game, the longer the games goes without one, the more likely Brentford are to break Rams fans hearts.

I expect Wassall to attack the match as it seems to be his way and it’s a tactic I approve of. Derby have good players and you need to back them to do their thing — he seems to be doing that and I hope this time out he is rewarded.

I am getting a bit sick of the moaning about Wassall, Morris, Rush etc. and becoming quite bullish about the club turning things around. What’s done is done and instead of preaching doom, changes have been made and you have to give them time, even just a little… a little more than a week anyway!

Despite Wassall’s naÃ¯ve comments after the match last Saturday — I like the changes that he has made at the club and the way he is going about rectifying the problems he has found.

If we don’t see things start to turn in the next 3 matches then yes questions will need to be asked, but while in the hot seat we have to get behind a guy that played for the club, has done amazing things with the youth team and is giving his all to turn the club around for both you, me and every Rams fan.

I am backing Wassall and the team to pick up the pace and stem the tide of moans by bringing home 3 points after stinging the Bees.

A 0-2 win for Derby with Martin to explode back into form and bag a brace.

Give ‘em hell boys!