Another Solid away performance enabled Derby to continue their unbeaten run on the road. Although Bolton have not yet won this season and sit at the bottom of the league, I still feel this will be viewed as a good point in the long term.
Bolton has some good players and surely it is only a matter of time before they start to creep up the league. It was also very good to get Russell on the score sheet again.
Derby welcomes a Reading team who have had a mixed start to the season. Relegated from the premiership last season, they may have been hoping for a slightly better start. However, they are back in contention after a dramatic 96th minute winner against Leeds in mid-week.
Derby has an injury concern in Will Hughes with Clough stating he will give him right up until the day of the game, but it may be too early for him.
This may mean a change in formation to a 4-4-2 with Coutts on the right. Fans were critical of this against Burnley, but against Leicester we played the diamond and that did not work either so....... I know formations do make a difference but I genuinely just think both Leicester and Burnley were very organised and hard to break down, with 10 men behind the ball.
Coutts could also come into the diamond shape and drift off to the right when necessary. The coaching staff and Clough will hopefully make the right call on this. However, if it not working then please, please do not wait until the 80th minute to change it. Swallow your pride and get Jacobs, Sammon or Davies on and change the impetus, giving the players introduced time to make a difference.
Reading has Garacan out with a long term knee injury. They have quality and experience in Drenthe, Kelly, Wayne Bridge, Ronson-Kanu, Le Fondre and ex-red dog McCleary.
The Royals signed Northern Ireland international defender Chris Baird on a free transfer late on Friday but the former Fulham defender is unlikely to play a part in this match, at best he makes the bench.
Derby will need to be aware of their goal threat as they do not have a great record against Reading over the years, but hopefully this is one fact that can be rectified on Saturday.
I think this game is a difficult one to call. I was sure we would beat Burnley and was a little surprised how well organised they were and how little we created. I think it will be a close game and if won it will be by the odd goal.
Derby will need to focus on defending better at home while attacking with purpose and moving the ball quickly. When teams do sit back, we need the likes of Ward, Russell, Bryson and even Smith from full back to get round the back and in behind. This pushes team back and usually gives more opportunities to score.
Let's get our first home victory in style on Saturday!
Come on you Rams!
Current League Form — Last 5 Matches:
Derby (9th) — L W L W D
Reading (7th) — W L D D W
Match Facts:
The Rams and Reading are all square in clashes that have taken place at Pride Park. Both teams have 6 wins and 2 draws on their side of the ledger — today someone could put their nose in front!
Last time they met, was in February of 2012 with Reading on the way to promotion. A 0-1 score line was enough for the Royals to take all 3 points.
Derby has managed to be pushing for the playoffs despite being the only team in the first 15 of the League table to be winless at home so far this season.
The Rams have used the least players of any club so far this season.
Nigel’s dad would not be pleased, as a stickler for discipline on the pitch, with the Rams having received the most Yellow Cards of the division with 17.
Reading has not conceded a goal in 285 minutes of football. A stat that needs rectifying at Pride Park!
Classic Rams Home Clash Vs The Royals :
13th January 1996 - Barclays League Division 2, The Baseball Ground