Last weekend brought an unexpected and disappointing defeat for the Rams at Leeds. A look at the Championship table though, makes for much more pleasant reading than that result.
The Rams are still in first place, with 35 points from 19 games. The rest of the top six of the Championship makes for strange reading at the moment; following the Rams, we have Ipswich, Brentford, Bournemouth, Boro and Blackburn.
Can Brentford and Bournemouth really be legitimate promotion contenders?
Brentford have won their last five league matches in a row; Bournemouth won six in a row, but have drawn their last three. Yet Brentford had a gate of less than 11,000 for their most recent home match against Wolves; while Bournemouth managed just over 10,000 for their last home match against Millwall.
I have to believe that there will be quite a bit of sorting out at the top of the table in the New Year.
After 19 games last season, the top six of the Championship table looked much more like the top six of the Championship should look: Burnley, QPR, Leicester, Derby, Forest and Reading. But then, I have to admit that — except for Forest- these teams did not change all that much by the end of the season. So perhaps the Brentfords and Bournemouths are the real deal.
Because of the Rams’ strong start this season, compared to the ultimate disappointment of last season, its tempting for me to keep comparing this season’s Rams record with last season.
Last season, 19 games gave the Rams a record of: P19 W10 D4 L5 F40 A26 P34; and 4th place. The Rams’ 19th match last season was a 5-1 win against Blackpool, and was the team’s 5th league win in a row. This season’s 1st place is from a record of: P19 W10 D5 L4 F35 A19 P35.
The records are remarkably similar: five fewer goals scored this season, but seven fewer conceded; an extra draw this season rather than an extra defeat last time. One extra point and three places higher.
I have to wonder if the Championship was a little stronger last season: Leicester and Burnley set a pace that the Rams tried hard to match; perhaps that chase brought out the best in the Rams. Maybe trying to stay ahead of a Conor Sammon inspired Ipswich - will present the Rams with less of a challenge; how will we respond to it?
The first match of the rest of the season is at home to Brighton on Saturday. Brighton has had a listless time this season, following their playoff elimination by the Rams last season. They are currently 22nd, in the relegation places with only 18 points. They have won only once in their last 11 league matches.
Albion is finding scoring difficult — defender Lewis Dunk is comfortably their leading scorer with four league goals — but their defensive record is not bad. Despite not scoring many, they have loaned Craig Mackail-Smith to Peterborough and Chris O’Grady to Sheffield United. Darren Bent has also just arrived on loan from Villa; Brighton will no doubt expect much from him.
For the Rams, we are familiar with the questions by now: Ryan Shotton or Jake Buxton; Omar Mascarell or John Eustace; who does not start out of Hughes, Hendrick and Bryson?
For what it’s worth, I say Shotton over Buxton, and as much as I like Eustace, I think Mascarell will continue. I hope Bryson and Hughes will start.
Just for kicks, I took a look at which is the Rams’ most successful centre midfield combination in this season’s league matches: it’s Mascarell, Hughes and Hendrick; closely followed by Eustace, Bryson and Hughes.
Perhaps the lesson to be learned is that team selection for this season’s Rams doesn’t matter all that much; what’s important is that the players do as they are told, and play to the plan.
One thing I think we’d all like to see is a goal for Chris Martin, sooner rather than later.
Oh, and a win for the Rams.