Derby County host this seasons surprise packet Reading as they look to get back to winning ways in the league, after two woeful performances away to Norwich and Leeds United in the league.
The eleven players that performed so heroically against WBA in the FA Cup were brought down to earth with a poor display and defeat to Leeds.
Debates will always be about what team should start after such a victory. Personally, the FA Cup game is a one off game with a one off performance. McClaren should have, where he could, gone back to the 'league' team.
However, any player playing left midfield should have the brains to realise that central midfielder come left back, Jamie Hanson needed help, cover and protection. Camara seemingly was blind to this, not seeing the obvious and was rightly brought off at half time. He also played a bit like he was in the playground as he constantly tried to turn on the half way line and beat 4 players.
Ironically, Camara may keep his place on the left as Anya is injured, Weimann is now at Wolves and Russell has been linked in a move to various clubs.
Christie has trained all week with Anya and Olsson training the last 2 days. It maybe a game too soon for them though, so who will start where at fullback is anyone's guess. McClaren hinted that Olsson may be the most ready to return and we may see him take the heat off Hanson.
De Sart and Johnson will battle for the CDM role and Hughes will come back into start. Bryson may be dropped as he does not influence the game and his closing down of the opposition is ineffective unless the whole team are doing it.
Pearce is likely to come in for Shackell and Bent is likely to continue up front, as new signing Nugent has tweaked his medial knee ligament, which can be painful and cause a lot of discomfort.
Jaap Stam has done a remarkable job at Reading. They are well organised, resilient and play some smart football.
They are well inside the play offs and sit 5 points above Derby in the league. However, Derby's first 8 fixtures were a complete write off under Nigel Pearson so you could say they have had similar seasons since.
The board backed Stam by bringing in Liverpool centre half Tiago Llori, who could go straight into the starting line up today while Captain Paul McShane is a doubt with an injury.
Al Habsi, Hunter and Moore will look to keep it tight at the back and stifle the Derby attack. McCleary and Kermorgant will hope to cause the Derby defence problems.
Match Prediction:
Derby have a poor home record against Reading, not having scored a goal in their last three league games against them. Hughes should make a difference in midfield and hopefully the wide players will have a bit more freedom with home territory.
However, this will be a very tough game. People keep thinking Reading and Huddersfield may fade away but we are well over half way through the season and they are both comfortably still in the play off positions.
If Derby can keep a clean sheet, they could nick the game 1-0 but it will be a tough ask.
A 1-1 score line with Ince to bag for The Rams.
Reading 1 v 1 Derby
Madejski Stadium - 1st October 2016
Derby 2 v 0 Reading
The Baseball Ground - 28th September 1994
COYR!!