Saturday marks the Rams final home game of the season and Robbie’s final home game of his career. With safety assured, hopefully the team will give Derby fans the match they deserve after another stressful season.
Saturday 23rd April 2011
Pride Park - Derby
Rams v Bristol City - HistoricalP 46 W 28 D 9 L 9 F 92 A 46
Last game at Pride Park
Saturday 4th April 2009 / Derby 1 - 1 Burnley; Connolly
Current Form
Bristol City - 16/24 P 44 W 15 D 15 L 14 F 59 A 65
Leading scorers - Pitman (12)
Derby - 19/24 Derby P 42 W 13 D 10 L 21 F 57 A 67
Leading scorers - Bueno, Cywka, Davies, Moore, Savage (4)
The Rams
Safe from relegation for another year. The Rams have staggered over the finish line as their competitors have all fallen over - we'll be playing in the Championship next season.
The same is true of Bristol City so this game is a non event. Will the team put on a show for Robbie Savage's last home game or are they already on holiday?
Personally, I will be glad to see the back of Savage and all of the media hype surrounding him. What we've needed in midfield for the last few years has been a hardworking winner of the ball who can pass and who can break up the opposition play. This Savage has not been.
He's put the effort in on occasions but too often he's been found wanting.
At his best in a good team he's been brilliant at winding up the opposition and breaking up their play - he's only done that fitfully for us.
That's my opinion and it isn't one shared by Nigel Clough. Speaking to the BBC;
"I hope he's remembered more for his dedication as a professional over 20 years than for some of the pantomime stuff."
"He wasn't the most popular guy two years ago and he had to convince the spectators he was worthy of the shirt."
"I think he's done that tremendously and performed at a consistently high standard for us."
"He's been a great influence, despite not having the legs he used to have."
Clough showing that either he's selective in which spectators he speaks to - or that he simply doesn't listen to fans.
Goodbye Robbie. I hope you enjoy your retirement.
Likely Rams Line-up
Jones
Brayford Ayala Anderson Roberts
Pearson Savage Bailey S.Davies
Robinson Bueno
Substitutes: Atkins, Anderson, Addison, Davies (B), Hendrick, Doyle, Ball
Current Rams Squad
No. Position Player
2 Defender John Brayford
3 Defender Gareth Roberts
4 Midfield Paul Green
5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain)
6 Defender Dean Leacock
7 Striker Steve Davies
8 Midfield Robbie Savage (club captain)
10 Striker Jamie Ward (on loan from Sheffield United)
11 Midfield Stephen Pearson
12 Striker Chris Porter
13 Keeper Saul Deeney
14 Defender Russell Anderson
16 Midfield James Bailey
17 Defender Jake Buxton
18 Midfield Ben Pringle
19 Striker Tomasz Cywka
20 Defender Miles Addison
21 Defender Daniel Ayala (on loan from Liverpool)
23 Striker Conor Doyle
24 Midfield Arnaud Mendy
25 Defender Mark O'Brien
26 Striker Callum Ball
27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid)
28 Midfield Ben Davies
29 Midfield Jeff Hendrick
33 Keeper Brad Jones
Bristol City
If you look at the fact that the Robins haven't won in the last five games, you'd be forgiven for thinking that already seem to be on holiday.
Looking at the results however and you see that some of those games have been high scoring including a 3-2 reverse against Forest and another against the Blades.
They've scored 2 goals in 3 of those five games.
Former Ram Jon Stead felt they should have got something from the game, speaking to the Bristol Evening Post;
"We haven't won any of the last five games and we know it is not good enough. At the moment, it feels as though we are a nearly team."
"We have let in three soft goals and keeping clean sheets has become a problem for us. I wouldn't put it down to the lads at the back, because we have not been tight enough as a unit."
Manager Keith Millen is urging his players to finish the season on a high for the outgoing chair Steve Landsdown;
"Let's win them both for the chairman."
"He has had a great spell in charge, and everyone associated with the club wants to give him a great send off before he leaves his post as chairman. I've spoken to the players about it and I can tell you it is a powerful motivating force in our dressing room."
Current Bristol Squad
No. Position Player
1 Keeper David James
2 Defender Nicky Hunt
3 Defender Jamie McAllister
4 Defender Liam Fontaine
5 Defender Damion Stewart
6 Defender Louis Carey (captain)
7 Midfield Marvin Elliott
8 Midfield Lee Johnson
9 Striker David Clarkson
10 Striker Nicky Maynard
11 Midfield Martyn Woolford
12 Keeper Dean Gerken
14 Midfield Cole Skuse
18 Defender James Wilson
19 Defender Christian Ribeiro
20 Midfield Jamal Campbell-Ryce
21 Defender Kalifa Cissé
22 Defender Lewin Nyatanga
23 Defender Joe Edwards
24 Striker Marlon Jackson
25 Defender Danny Ball
27 Midfield Albert Adomah
28 Defender Jordan Spence (on loan from West Ham United)
29 Midfield Patrick Hoban
30 Striker Jon Stead
31 Midfield Jimmy Keohane
34 Striker Brett Pitman
What the Bookies think
The Rams are 5/4 favourites while the Robins are at 21/10. The draw is at 12/5.
Theo Robinson and Steve Davies are both at 11/2 while our captain and joint leading scorer is at 11/1 for his final game at Pride Park.
Brett Pitman is at 13/2 for the visitors while Jon Stead is at 7/1.
Information for travelling fans
Driving
Bristol to Derby is a fair old hike for a nothing game. Take the M5 North to the M6 then take the A38 into Derby. Follow the signs as the ground and away parking are signposted.
Parking
Away fans can park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It's about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don't be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped.
You can also park at the Fireplace showroom just at the turn off the A52 for Pride Park. Don’t be in a rush to leave however as it takes an age to get out of there. Another alternative is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island.
Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It's about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.
Drinking
There are a few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters.
The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you're not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good.
The Waterfall opposite the station is very good as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.
Mick's prediction
With no pressure on, the team should be able to play at their best. Both sides are defensively frail so on paper at least it looks like a high scoring game.
A 0-0 draw I reckon. Or a late Savage winner!
Rams 0-0 Bristol City