I have to admit; in 31 years of supporting Derby County I do not ever remember us being 3-1 down at home after 14 minutes. Therefore, I have never, ever got close to leaving within the first 15 minutes of a game.

It was plain to see the centre of midfield was totally open and exposed and there was no real pace or direction going forward. In steps McClaren, and out stepped Eustace and Bennett.

If the players felt sorry for Clough and by the looks of it themselves in the first half on Tuesday night, then the coverage of what happened at half-time has surely and hopefully snapped them out of it.

For those older enough to remember it reminded me of a game at the Baseball Ground that Derby came back from to be winning 4-3, only for Chelsea (Kerry Dixon, I think) to have their own turn around and eventually win the game 6-4. Crazy, Crazy stuff.

We look ahead to the Leeds game where in recent history Derby have had much the upper hand over their seventies rivals. At times I actually thought Clough's wins against Leeds and Notts Forest, and the timing of these wins, kept Clough in a job. Just my opinion.

Eustace will surely start in midfield for Davies; Keogh will come back to 'probably' captain the side. I imagine this will be in place of Buxton. At times Buxton looked a little lost playing on the right side of the centre of defence. Naturally Whitbread would be on the left and Keogh on the right side

What happens up front with Martin, Sammon, Russell and dare I say Bennett, will be something for the new coaching team to ponder. It will be interesting to see the formation and an interesting debate for us all to debate as we head to Pride Park.

I would personally go with Martin and Russell, but I could see why he may for the pace and power Sammon. I thought he was very positive and direct against Ipswich. However, if McClaren wants to go with a 4-3-3 formation, why not give Bennett a start. Having STILL not won in the league all season, what do we have to lose?

Leeds has no new injury concerns and has struggled away from home this season. A home win against Bournemouth in mid-week pushed them up to 11th in the league, 2 points above the Rams.

Wouldn't it be nice to get our first home win and jump above them in the league? Makes me tingle slightly just thinking about it!

Let's be really positive for the full 90 minutes and roar the Mighty Rams to their first home league win.

After the events of last weekend - perhaps the Rams can do something this weekend that might make Cloughy (Brian) proud!

Match Facts :

The Rams have won the last 9 matches in a row against the Dirty and it was hard to not think that Clough’s curse over the Damned was real - with Brian watching over his son. That amazing record may be tested depending on how Brian felt about the events of last weekend.... don’t take it out on the fans Brian… maybe give Sam rush indigestion instead?

Leeds has not won at Pride Park since April 2002.

If the Rams lose — it will be their 700th loss in second tier of league football.

The Damned have not won back to back this season but after winning last week, and with the Rams not having won at home, this may be the best chance for both teams to fix that.

Recent Form — Last 6:

Derby County: L W D L L D

Leeds United: L W L L L W

Classic Clash Video - Derby 3 v 2 Leeds:

1^st November 1975 — The Baseball Ground

This one is for the younger fans — watch and learn about real Rams passion!!

Photo: Action Images

pkay_brum added 20:39 - Oct 5 Oh dear; Francis Lee *hates* that clip - surely there are better memories of Rams vs. Leeds clashes to promote? I had the pleasure of Meeting Franny some years ago at a function, and a fan interrupted us and clamped a hand on Lee's shoulder, and declared: "well done for clobbering Hunter that time", which made Lee cringe. "All those great games and goals, and that's all they want to say to you", he mused. I told him that the fight with Hunter had been edited out of the (then-new) DVD release of Rams' 1970s highlights, which pleased him enough to ask me to send him a DVD for his son's collection. Lee sent me a letter of thanks later, and expressed his delight that just the football itself, and not Leeds' thuggery and provocation, was contained on the DVD! We have some great new memories of beating Leeds again today, anyway :-) Here's to win No. 11 on-the-trot, up at Elland Road next May.

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