At Boro the Rams huffed and puffed but only found their own house blown in. They return home hoping to get some reward for their hard work against Pompey and a certain striker who will have a point to prove.

Derby County vs. Portsmouth

Pride Park Stadium Derbyshire

3pm - Saturday October 29th

Derby: 6th – D, L, D, D, L

Portsmouth: 13th – L, L, W, L, W

The Rams

Nigel Clough is hoping that both skipper Jason Shackell and Russell Anderson will come up in time to add steel to the Rams undermanned defence. Shackell has only been completing light training after picking up a knock last Saturday; hopefully this will find him fresh for the match.

Russell Anderson was close for last weekend but after struggling with a tight hamstring is expected to return. He may slip into the right back position over Lee Croft who filled in at the Riverside Stadium. Kevin Kilbane may also feature in the back four after returning to action last weekend and may be preferred over Anderson.

Mark O'Brien has also been laying low on the training track after picking up a niggle of his own but like Shackell should line up in the starting squad.

Nigel Clough confirmed that the youngest ever DCFC player Mason Bennett, will once again be given a spot in the squad and is a good chance to retain his starting spot although Chris Maguire could be handed his chance after impressing as a sub last week.

Nigel believes Chris Maguire has a big part to play this season:

"Chris hasn't had many opportunities this season but when he came on at Middlesbrough he did really well. Chris has never been out of our plans and has been in the 16 most of the time, so he is in our thoughts."

"Sometimes the way games have been going we haven't seen it right to bring him on and unfortunately for him we've done pretty well from an attacking point of view from the word go this season."

"He knows we don't think we've seen enough from him in training and in reserve games but when he came on at Middlesbrough he made a real impact, which is exactly we wanted to see from him."

"With Steven Davies out until the New Year and Nathan Tyson still injured Chris has moved up the pecking order and as long as he remains patient, his chance will come. If he continues to perform like he did at Middlesbrough then he has a good chance of breaking into the side."

Pompey

Portsmouth is monitoring Benjani after a hamstring tear caused him to miss last weekend's win over Doncaster. Even if able to play he is more likely to start on the bench as strikers Dave Kitson and former Ram Luke Varney both scored in last weekend’s victory.

Defender Hermann Hreidarsson will miss with an ongoing Achilles injury.

Pompey defender Jason Pearce is confident the club is beginning to find form:

“We had an indifferent start but we are starting to build up a rapport and put in some decent performances."

“With the gaffer leaving for Forest it could have unsettled things, but Guy Whittingham and Stuart Gray have been great and all the lads have had to become closer."

“That has been reflected in a couple of decent results – along with performances – in the last few games. The one thing still missing is that we haven’t played as well as we can for the full 90 minutes, but that’s something we hope to address."

“We are gelling on the pitch as well as off it and although we want to make Fratton Park a fortress, we also have to show our real character when we go to places like Derby."

DanJ’s Match Preview:

The Rams will need to put the score on the board this week if chances present themselves after last weekend’s second half dominance going unrewarded.

Leaking goals is becoming an issue after 4 getting past the defence in the last two games. With Shaun Barker and John Brayford still weeks away from a return it seems there may be some round holes being filled with square pegs in the meantime.

There is no doubt that Derby can create goal scoring opportunities but Nigel is yet to settle on the best pairing to take advantage of them.

As much as youngster Mason Bennett impressed at the Riverside, I would be inclined to start Chris Maguire who straightened up the Rams when he came on against Boro.

Tomasz Cywka also continued to press his claims and with both him and Maguire on the pitch the team seemed to keep the ball on the ground as well as get their passing game going. Both factors were part of the Rams charge to the finish line which will give Nigel the headache of having to select a partnership that he believes will flourish.

If Nigel can plug his leaky defence then I think they are more than a match for a Portsmouth team who have been up and down in recent weeks.

A good start will be imperative as putting one in the back of the net might give the Rams the confidence to do so multiple times in front of what will be a large, vocal home attendance. 

What they can’t do is let Luke Varney off the chain as given a chance he will want to rub the Rams noses in what could have been if he had been given a genuine chance at Pride Park.

Dan J’s Score Prediction:

The second half at Boro has me believing the Rams are still capable of beating most teams on their day despite injury concerns. Getting the right mix on the team sheet will win or lose the match for Nigel and I think on this occasion he will get it right.

A double for Derby and one for Luke Varney – because he just has to score doesn’t he?

Derby 2 – 1 Portsmouth

For visitors to Pride Park:

Parking

There is not a great deal of parking available close to Pride Park. The best bet is to either park in the city centre (lots of signposted car parks) or the Cattle Market Car Park.

Stay on the A52 to the Pentagon Island, take the first left and follow the road round to the left. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the Stadium.

There’s also a car park straight off the A52 at the Pride Park junction by the fireplace showroom however it’s a pain in the arse to get out of after the match. If you are looking for free parking head for Ascot Drive off the A6 and park down one of the side streets.

Where to drink

There are a few pubs and Eateries near the ground but not all admit away fans showing colours these days. The Navigation Inn on London rd has always been popular with away fans and there’s a Harvester and Frankie & Bennies on Pride Park.

The natives are friendly as long as you aren’t being an arse.

Do you think the Rams can defeat Pompey?  

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Photo: Action Images

pkay_brum added 16:25 - Oct 28 Notwithstanding contract payment clauses, Varney ran around a fair bit, to little effect, a bit like Emanuel Villa (remember him...? Try, try....!) Luke did have the benefit of a centre-forward (Hulse) to play off sometimes - unlike the current crop of Derby forwards - and he still did nowt. Wrong signing, wrong time, wrong blend, wrong manager! Hope we can keep him quiet....any fit Derby centre-halves gonna be out there at all?

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