RamFan Forecast - 'Feel Good Factor Around Pride Park Again!'
Saturday, 23rd Apr 2011 12:04 by Stuart Hughes

RamZone reporter Stuart Hughes is heading to Pride Park today hoping like all Ram fans that his team will produce the goods. RamZone asked for his thoughts on the match and who he thinks will triumph.

After a hard fought victory at home to 6th placed Leeds United, and a battling draw away to champions-elect Q.P.R, there’s a feel good factor around Pride Park again.

Derby County are 19th with 49 points, three places and nine points above the relegation zone. Although not mathematically safe, I think the Rams are as good as safe because Scunthorpe United and Preston North End must win all their remaining four games to be able to overtake us given our superior goal difference.

Bottom club Sheffield United can no longer overtake us. On Saturday another team hoping for promotion visit Pride Park Stadium. Burnley are 9th, two points off the playoff places, and will be looking to gatecrash the end of season party.

Derby County should have nothing to fear though. Recent home victories against 5th placed Swansea City and 6th placed Leeds United have shown that the Rams are more than capable of beating the promotion hopefuls.

The current squad of players are starting to find some momentum now that manager Nigel Clough can select a team without having to ask anybody to play out of position.

Simply having John Brayford on the right and Gareth Roberts on the left of a settled back-four makes a huge difference. Loan players Jamie Ward, Daniel Ayala, Brad Jones and Theo Robinson now look settled and are influencing games.

The pressure will be on Burnley and I’m confident Derby County can get the result that will mathematically secure npower Championship survival.