All the statistics and opinions point towards a seventh straight victory for Derby County against Doncaster Rovers. However, we all know football is not played on paper and via opta index stats.
Derby welcome Doncaster Rovers to the iPro Stadium with a 25 thousand plus crowd expected. The coaching team have talked about keeping the team's feet on the ground and trying the help the players handle the level of expectation.
At Charlton last Saturday, it was obvious in the first 15 minutes that the home side had 'watched' Derby play and tried to stifle us in midfield and out wide. It took us a number of minutes to settle and there were many moments in the 2nd half where we had to battle, block and simply clear our lines.
If Jamie Ward's shot would have gone in off the bar mid way through the second half, the victory would have more comfortable earlier on, but Bryson's late goal was well worth the wait, with all the fans going crazy!
Against Donny, Derby will hopefully settle early on and get the passing game going with Hughes coming straight back into midfield.
Media reports suggest Chris Martin is a concern with a shin injury, which can be very painful due to the nerve endings being so close to the surface. Hopefully two days rest will be enough and I am sure he will do everything he can to start. As he is often the focal point of our attacks, it would be interesting to see how we would cope with out him. I am sure Sammon would do a good enough job and hopefully our style would not alter too much with him leading the attack.
Although Dawkins was not at his best against Charlton, I fully expect him and Ward to continue to fill the wide roles, with the very classy and consistent Wisdom at right back. Hughes is likely to come in for Hendrick, with Eustace to continue to hold in front of the back four.
There are usually goals when the two teams meet. Derby has scored 42 goals this season and Doncaster has only scored 1 in their last five away games. They have only won away once all season against Sheffield Wednesday, so the omens are good.
In Paul Dickov, they have a young and hungry manager who may want to get one over on his ex-employees. Dickov played really well when on loan at Derby. I liked his style and he will hopefully be given a good reception along with Theo Robinson. Theo is a player who may step up to the plate against his old club.
Despite his critics, I thought Theo was worth the money we paid and had good pace, gave 100% and when played, often scored goals. Sammon has one of those qualities and there is certainly not £1million pounds worth of difference between the strikers. Now Clough has gone and apartheid is over at the club, we are able to be more positive and look forward, instead of dreading games.
Doncaster also has the good and experienced goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and quality in midfielder Richie Wellens. Up front they have Manchester United loanee Macheda, who made a great start in his first spell at Doncaster and is now on loan until the end of December, but does not seem to be scoring as much as he was a few months ago.
Buxton and Keogh will have to aware and focused on the power of Mecheda and pace and goal scoring instinct of Robinson. Doncaster was very unfortunate to not equalise against Leeds in their last game and reports suggest the score line should have been closer than the eventual result.
However, if Derby play well, stay patient and keep it tight at the back, we should create enough chances and score goals. I would like to see us concede fewer free kicks in our defending third. We conceded from a free kick against Blackpool and there were many free kicks conceded in dangerous areas away to Charlton.
The prospect of going into the top two, if results go our way, excite and slightly scare me at the same time. I know a new manager coming in often has a positive effect, but I do not think even the most optimistic of supporters would have predicted Derby being 4th after the defeat to the red dogs at the end of September. Long may the victories continue!
Happy Christmas to all RamZone readers!
See you at Huddersfield and Barnsley away. Derby away.............bloody love it!!
Derby (4th): W, W, W, W, W
Doncaster (20th): L, W, D, L, L
The Rams are proven quick starters this season with 21 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes.
Steve McClaren has collected 25 of a possible 30 points since taking over at Derby. Go Macca!
The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 42, as well as the best conversion rate per shots on goal.
The Rams will be looking to make it 7 wins in a row - to equal Burnley’s run from earlier this season — which to date is the longest by any club in the Championship this season.
Doncaster has only won once away from home this season from 10 attempts and has only scored once in their last 5.